6 Benefits Of Prune On Your Health

Prunes are the dried plum of Prunus domestica variety. It is made from the firm fleshed fruit called plum, prunes are dried and they do not ferment during drying and they have high soluble solid contents. They contain energy, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and protein. They also have dietary fibres and phytochemicals in them. You can add them in your diet by eating them as snacks or adding them to your breakfast cereal. They can also be added to baked goods or you can blend them into juice Or puree. Prunes come with multiple health benefits, some of them are listed below.

# Rich In Antioxidants

Prunes are considered to be the powerhouse of antioxidants. They are even higher than blueberries on the antioxidants scale. Prunes contain plant phenolics, manganese and iron that helps in protecting cell membranes from free radical damage by acting as antioxidants. The most active antioxidant found in prunes is Anthocyanin which is a specific type of polyphenol. They are also rich in antioxidants like caffeolyquinic acid.

# Improves Heart Health

Potassium ensures proper functioning of the heart and nerve response throughout the body and prunes are high in potassium. Consuming prunes daily helps in lowering blood pressure and also reduces risk of Heart problems, dizziness and heart attack by keeping blood pressure and cholesterol levels in check.

# May Slow Down The Ageing Process

Prunes also help in slowing down the aging process and also delay the development of wrinkles. The antioxidants present in the fruit help in repairing the damaged cells hence the cells work properly and prevent any early sign of ageing.

# May Have Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Prunes are rich in antioxidants called polyphenols and these antioxidants help in decreasing inflammation while also protecting against DNA damage. According to a report, prunes which are dried at 60 and 85°C may have a higher antioxidant activity as compared to fresh plums.

# Aids In Weight Loss

Prunes are the superfood which help in maintaining our appetite by keeping us full for longer period of time as it contains high fibre. They also control the urge for sugary or fried food, all this happens due to the presence of pectin in it. According to a study, regularly eating prunes as a part of your diet resulted in significant weight loss and waist circumference reduction. Prunes raise the glucose levels in the body slowly as they have low glycemic index, this avoids spikes in the blood sugar level which are usually caused by foods with high glycemic index, this keeps the appetite at bay and hence helps in weight loss by preventing overeating.

# Helps In Digestion

Prunes have high sorbitol content which makes them act as a laxative, they are also high in fibre which helps in adding bulk to the stools and preventing constipation. The insoluble fibre in prunes helps in keeping the bowel movements regular and the soluble fibre helps in digestion and absorbing nutrients from food. Additionally, sorbitol and chlorogenic acid present in prunes can also increase stool frequency and help you in getting rid of constipation.