People have learned to use the generous gifts of nature a long time ago. Fruits and berries were one of the first to hit the table. Currently, they are stored fresh and frozen, canned and dried. Prunes are the dried plum fruits. Only some varieties of fruit are used in industry. What are the beneficial properties of prunes? The article will consider the positive qualities and contraindications of dried fruit for the body.
What types of plums make prunes?
Not all types of fruit are suitable for obtaining healthy dried fruit from them. Prunes - plum varieties "Hungarian Italian", dried in natural conditions. This is due to the fact that the fruits have hard flesh and high sugar content.
The dried fruit is black in color, with a slight sheen and fleshy flesh.
How to choose a prune
In order for dried fruit to bring only benefits to the body, it must be correctly selected:
- Quality fruits are usually dark, with a slight whitish bloom and a slight sheen.
- To the touch prunes are elastic and fleshy. Its taste is sweet with a slight acidity.
- In violation of the technology, the beneficial properties of prunes are lost. Not only taste qualities, but also appearance change. The bitter aftertaste and taupe also indicate a poor-quality product.
- Too distinct shine of prunes can talk about processing it with fat. Taste qualities in this case do not improve, but only the appearance changes.
- It is best to buy a fruit with a bone, which helps to preserve all its positive qualities.
To maximize the benefits of prunes for the body, you must carefully select it in supermarkets. At the slightest suspicion of a poor-quality product, it is best to refuse to purchase it.
Chemical composition
Prunes are rich in nutrients and mineral elements. It consists of:
- Vitamin A. It stops the aging process in the body, is needed for the health of the skin, nails and hair, strengthens the immune system.
- Vitamins of group B. Improve the work of the digestive tract, take part in the processing of fats, amino acids and carbohydrates.
- Vitamin PP. Lowers blood cholesterol. Protects against diseases of the heart and blood vessels, high blood pressure and prevents the formation of blood clots. Vitamin PP restores the nervous system.
- Vitamin C. Fights wrinkles and restores skin elasticity. The element normalizes and maintains the level of hemoglobin and iron at the required level.
- Magnesium. Struggling with anemia.
- Potassium. Improves the functioning of the heart and blood vessels. In prunes it is 1.5 times more than in bananas.
- Calcium. Strengthens teeth and bone tissue.
- Pectins. It relieves the body of toxins and toxins.
- Caratinoids and phytonutrients. Strengthen the immune system, help fight various diseases.
Prunes are rich in citric and oxalic acid. Calorie prunes: in 100 g of the product - 231 kcal. Due to its high nutritional value, prunes in large quantities should not be consumed by full people.
Beneficial features
Prune, due to its composition, has the following qualities:
- It contributes to the normalization of the digestive tract. Prunes act as a mild laxative, eliminating constipation. Helps with pathologies of the stomach and intestines.
- Restores the correct metabolism, which contributes to weight loss. Nutritionists recommend taking prunes in moderation to reduce weight.
- Dried fruit has antibacterial properties, which allows it to be used in the treatment of colds. It reduces the growth of harmful microflora in the mouth.
- Thanks to the beneficial properties of prunes, it normalizes blood pressure and strengthens the walls of blood vessels. Dried fruit does not contain salt, which traps the liquid, so it can be used as a snack. Prevents the development of pathologies of the heart in the early stages.
- Prunes stop infections like salmonella and E. coli.
- Dried fruit is used to prevent vitamin deficiency, helps with a breakdown and depressive states.
- The fetus is widely used for the prevention of malignant neoplasms, since it helps to destroy free radicals.
- Prunes are effective in treating liver and kidney disease. It will help people with rheumatism and atherosclerosis.
- A decoction of berries is used to increase appetite. Indeed, in its composition there are trace elements that produce gastric juice.
- Prunes improve vision due to the carotene contained in it.
Dried fruit is recommended to be taken in the required quantities. They should not be abused, like any other product.
Prunes for women
Dried fruit is useful for women who are close to menopause. It helps protect bones from osteoporosis. On the day it is enough to eat no more than 100 g.
Thanks to potassium in prunes, the swelling of the face is reduced in women.
Hormonal restructuring of the body of a pregnant woman makes her cautious about all products. Prunes have a useful composition that provides the body with:
- maintaining overall good physical condition;
- preventing stool problems caused by pregnancy;
- normalizes metabolic processes;
- prevents the development of vitamin deficiency and anemia;
- eliminates edema and prevents their appearance;
- acts as a choleretic and diuretic;
- normalizes blood pressure.
Prunes, whose benefits during pregnancy are manifested in improving the condition of the skin, eliminate inflammation and acne. The presence of antioxidants in the dried fruit helps future mothers protect themselves and the child from the influence of external factors and free radicals.
During lactation, dried fruit solves problems with stools not only in women, but also in her baby. Begin with a minimum amount of prunes. Initially, 1 piece in the morning is enough to observe the condition of the newborn during the day.
Vitamin Blend for Health
In the season of colds, from a dried fruit and other components, you can prepare a composition that will allow a person to recover faster. For immunity, raisins, dried apricots, prunes, walnuts, lemon are crushed and mixed with honey in equal parts into a homogeneous mass.
To preserve all the beneficial properties, the mixture must be properly prepared. Under running water, wash raisins, dried apricots, prunes. Pour boiling water for 3 minutes, then dry. Nuts are cleaned, sorted and dried. All products are ground in a meat grinder, then honey is added and mixed.
The mixture allows you to strengthen the immune system in the autumn-winter period. With its help, ARVI, flu and other colds are successfully treated.
In order for the heart and blood vessels to function normally, it is necessary to include dried fruits in the daily diet.
Amosov pasta is a fortified mixture that is named after a famous doctor. The composition is able to enhance health after heavy operations. The ingredients in the paste have a high concentration of vitamins and minerals.
Raisins, figs, nuts, lemon, honey, dried apricots, prunes for the heart with constant use can significantly improve the condition of the body.
Fruits are taken in equal proportions, the lemon is ground in a meat grinder, honey and chopped nuts are added. The mixture is better to use in the morning on an empty stomach.
The use of prunes in nutrition
According to experts, dried fruit is used by people who want to lose weight. The beneficial properties of prunes contribute to the removal of toxins and toxins from the body, as well as accelerate metabolic processes in the body.
Dried fruit becomes an alternative to all kinds of sweets, which have to be limited during the diet. The excellent taste of prunes allows you to usefully tolerate the absence of prohibited products.
The greatest effect of weight loss is achieved with the use of dried fruit along with vegetables (carrots or cabbage).
Overeating should not be, because high calorie prunes will not allow to achieve a positive effect for weight loss.
Contraindications
Despite the benefits of prunes for the body, and harm can be done if a person is obese or diabetes. Dried fruit can be consumed, but only in limited quantities.
It is contraindicated to eat prunes in the presence of kidney stones and allergies.
Dried fruit has a laxative effect, so this must be considered when taking it. Some people after eating it suffer from flatulence, which is explained by a combination of dietary fiber with fructose.
With care, prunes should be used by a nursing mother because of the possible negative effect on the newborn's body. With prolonged use of dried fruit, chemicals that process the fruits during storage cause harm. Many manufacturers stain the fruit to improve its appearance.
Conclusion
Despite the enormous benefits of prunes, harm to the body also exists. Dried fruit should be consumed in moderation in order to prevent the occurrence of negative consequences. These features of the fetus should be considered with daily use for treatment or prevention.