The benefits and harms of plums for the health of the human body, contraindications and properties
Today plum is grown in many Russian household farms. Thanks to scientists and breeders, more than 2,000 varieties have been bred, differing in the structure and size characteristics of the fruits, the structure of the pulp and color, taste and chemical composition. To get the most out of a valuable product, it is important to know the health benefits and harms of plums.
Vitamins, trace elements and macronutrients in the composition
Among the wide variety of plums, there are dark purple, reddish and yellowish fruit colors. All of them are united by a unique chemical composition, which may differ slightly for each of the varieties. On average, 80% plums are water. The composition of the fruit contains a lot of fiber, pectin, organic acids, vitamins of groups A, B, C, E. The fruits contain a high content of macronutrients - potassium, calcium, magnesium and many others. They are a source of trace elements - iron, iodine, manganese, zinc.
In the blue plum
The dark blue variety of plums is usually called "Hungarian", such varieties have dense juicy pulp, therefore they are often used to make prunes. 100 g of blue fruit contains 42 kcal.
In red
Red plums are champions in folic acid and are rich in iron. They help accelerate metabolic processes, remove salts and excess fluid from the body.
100 g of red fruit contains only 46 kcal.
Black
The dark varieties of plums contain a large amount of flavonols, anthocyanins, leukocyanins, which have unique properties in the form of a positive effect on the walls of blood vessels and their strengthening.
Yellow
Yellow plums contain a large amount of keratin, and in terms of vitamin E, they are not inferior to rose hips. The varieties of this type are effective for the treatment of bronchi, atherosclerosis and hypertension.
How to Pick a Good Product
When choosing plums, you should be guided by the appearance of the fruit. Regardless of the color of the peel, they should be evenly colored. As the fruit ripens, the hue becomes more intense.You should pay attention to the absence of cracks, dents, spotty formations.
It is recommended to try pressing on the surface of the peel. Excessive hardness indicates insufficient ripeness of the fruit, too soft pulp will lead to rapid spoilage of the product. Ripeness is determined by a rich aroma, the more pronounced it is, the more mature the plums are.
Beneficial features
The usefulness of plums for the body is explained by the chemical elements present in it. Pectins promote better elimination of radionuclides and carcinogens. When eating fruits, the following effects are observed:
- thinning blood;
- strengthening the walls of blood vessels and reducing the risk of blood clots;
- improving the work of the muscles of the heart;
- lowering cholesterol levels;
- normalization of pressure.
Plum promotes the removal of fluid and bile, is considered a laxative. To eliminate the problem of constipation, it is enough to eat several fruits a day.
For kids
For a child, plums are a valuable source of vitamins, therefore, when they are included in the menu, the risk of vitamin deficiency is significantly reduced. Often, children suffer from constipation, and with the help of a fruit or a decoction based on it, stool normalization can be achieved without the use of medications.
For men
Plums should be included in the diet of men who love fatty and junk food, abuse alcohol. The fruit helps to lower cholesterol levels, which inevitably rise with improper diet. Fruits help to normalize the liver by removing harmful substances from the bile. Heart disease is one of the most common causes of death in men, and plums help reduce the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes.
For women
The fruit normalizes the work of the woman's nervous system, which helps the body to cope with stress more successfully. Fruits are considered an effective means by which the effect of tissue regeneration is obtained, therefore this property of the product is actively used in cosmetology.
Plums are used to make masks, scrubs, and various skin care products.
Due to the ability of plums to improve digestion processes, speed up metabolism and remove toxins, they are often present in the menu of people who control weight or want to lose weight. The dietary fiber of the fruit helps in the rapid reduction of body weight and further maintenance of it in the norm.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding
No ban is imposed on the use of plums when carrying a child. Folic acid present in the pulp contributes to the proper development of the baby. Many pregnant women suffer from edema, and due to the presence of potassium in fruits, excess fluid is naturally withdrawn. Dietary fiber of the fruit improves digestion, which acts as a prevention of constipation. Vitamin C helps to cope with viral infections, the appearance of which is dangerous during such a period.
During feeding, it is recommended to be careful about the presence of plums in the diet. The presence of such a product in the mother's menu can cause diarrhea in the child, which is quite difficult for babies to cope with.
Use in traditional medicine
Plum is often present in recipes for traditional medicine. It is used as an ingredient in decoctions to relieve constipation and normalize digestion.
Diabetes application
Patients with diabetes should be careful about eating fruits. Plum does not belong to the category of foods that carry a high risk for the body. Its low calorie content and low glycemic index make it possible to include it in the diet of diabetics in the early stages of disease. Patients with this diagnosis often suffer from pressure, impaired vision and kidney problems, and the use of plums helps to solve these problems.At the same time, it is impossible to abuse the intake of fruits, diabetics are not recommended to exceed the daily norm of 200 g.
With pancreatitis
When diagnosed with pancreatitis, plums are not prohibited for use, but it is necessary to peel the fruit. It contains coarse fiber and acid, which can exacerbate stomach diseases.
With oncological diseases
Studies have shown that the phenolic acid in plums can slow the growth of tumors. Such a substance is poison, but when it enters the body, it affects only cancer cells. Regular consumption of plums helps to prevent cancer of the mammary glands, stomach, colon, and respiratory organs. It is recommended to include not only fresh and dried fruits in the diet, but also smoothies.
The recipe requires:
- 5 plums;
- 1 banana;
- 10 raspberries;
- 1 tsp honey;
- 1⁄2 cup water
- cinnamon to taste.
The main ingredients are whipped with a blender. This drink will give energy and have a positive effect on all organs and systems of life. In the absence of digestive problems, you can take orange juice instead of water, which will saturate the body with even more vitamin C.
With diabetes mellitus
Plum contains a fairly large amount of sugar, so its inclusion in the diet of patients with diabetes mellitus can provoke a deterioration in the condition. They should be especially carefully included in the diet of people with type 2. It is better for diabetics not to use prunes in their diet, since it has a higher glycemic index, it is better to give preference to fresh ripe fruits.
The undoubted benefits of plums for athletes
Plum, due to the small amount of calories, is often present in the menu of those who are losing weight or athletes resorting to body drying programs. At the same time, due to the rich composition of chemical elements, when eating the fruit, the risk of their deficiency in the body is reduced.
Is plum good for weight loss
Plum for losing weight is considered a unique product. The combination of low calorie content and high nutrient content allows you to achieve your weight loss goal faster. Improving digestion and accelerating metabolic processes contributes to faster disposal of fatty deposits.
What is the best way to eat the product?
Plum is a versatile fruit. The fruits are consumed fresh and dried. They are suitable for making preserves, jams and purees. Juices, smoothies and compotes are prepared from fruits.
Dried
Dried plums are called prunes. It has the same nutrient content as fresh fruit. It is a great hunger saver when you need a quick snack.
Fresh
Drinking fresh plums is the easiest way to improve your well-being, as it does not require any effort to process the product. The disadvantage of freshly picked fruits is a short shelf life, therefore, heat treatment methods are often used to extend it.
Compotes and preservation
Compotes are an excellent way to use the valuable qualities of plums in winter. Such a drink is always at hand and can be used if necessary to reduce pressure or get rid of edema.
Benefits and uses of plum pits
For treatment, plum kernels are used. They contain dangerous hydrocyanic acid, therefore, to reduce its concentration, the grains are pre-fried. The contents of the seeds are used to prepare decoctions, the intake of which helps to provide an antioxidant effect. Infusions help get rid of intestinal parasites.
Product consumption rates
For children, plums are introduced into the diet from the age of 3. It is necessary to give fruit gradually, starting with 1 piece.In this case, if diarrhea, bloating or colic appear, the product should be discarded. In the absence of negative reactions, the number of plums is gradually brought to 3-4 per day.
The norm for an adult depends on the presence of contraindications and the individual characteristics of the person. On average, the daily amount should not exceed 300 g. During pregnancy, you should limit yourself to 6 fruits per day.
Contraindications and negative effects
Excessive consumption of plums can cause gastrointestinal upset. You cannot include the product in the diet if you have diarrhea or diarrhea, as this will aggravate the situation. You can not include fruits in the diet if you have the following indications:
- younger childhood;
- rheumatism;
- cholelithiasis;
- problems with the patency of the biliary tract.
You can not use plums if you have an allergic reaction to the product. Neglect of such a restriction can lead to negative consequences, ranging from minor itching and ending with anaphylactic shock.
