Plum: benefits and harms to the he alth of the human body, properties and contraindications

Today, plums are grown in many Russian household plots. Thanks to scientists and breeders, more than 2,000 varieties have been bred that differ in the structure and size characteristics of the fruit, the structure of the pulp and color, flavor and chemical composition. To get the most out of a valuable product, it is important to know the he alth benefits and harms of plums.

Vitamins, trace elements and macroelements 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, plums are 80% water. The fruits contain a lot of fiber, pectin, organic acids, vitamins A, B, C, E. Fruits contain a high content of macroelements - 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 commonly referred to as "Hungarian", such varieties have dense juicy pulp, so they are often used to make prunes. 100 g of blue fruit contains 42 kcal.

In red

Red plum varieties are champions in folic acid content, they contain a lot of iron. They help speed up metabolic processes, remove s alts and excess fluid from the body.

100 g of red fruit contains only 46 kcal.

Black

Dark plum varieties 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 content they are not inferior to rose hips. Varieties of this species are effective for the treatment of bronchi, atherosclerosis and hypertension.

How to choose a good product

When choosing plums, one should be guided by the appearance of the fruit. Regardless of the color of the skin, they should be evenly colored. As the fruit ripens, the shade becomes more saturated. 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 deterioration of the product. Ripeness is determined by the rich aroma, the more pronounced it is, the more ripe the plums are.

Useful properties

The usefulness of plums for the body is explained by the chemical elements present in it. Pectins contribute to better excretion of radionuclides and carcinogens. When eating fruits, the following effects are observed:

• blood thinning;
• strengthening the walls of blood vessels and reducing the risk of thrombosis;
• improvement of the heart muscles;
• reducing 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 a few fruits a day.

For kids

For a child, plums are a valuable source of vitamins, so when they are included in the menu, the risk of beriberi is reduced significantly.Often children suffer from constipation, and with the help of a fruit or a decoction based on it, you can achieve normalization of the stool without the use of medications.

For men

Plums should be included in the diet of men who love fatty and unhe althy foods, who abuse alcohol. The fruit helps to lower cholesterol levels, the indicators of which inevitably increase with improperly organized nutrition. The fruits help to normalize the functioning of the liver, removing harmful substances with 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

Fruit normalizes the nervous system of a woman, which helps the body to more successfully cope with stress. Fruits are considered an effective means by which they obtain the effect of tissue regeneration, therefore this property of the product is actively used in cosmetology.

Masks, scrubs, various skin care products are made from plums.

Due to the ability of plums to improve digestion, speed up metabolism and remove toxins, they are often present on the menu of people who control weight or want to lose weight. The dietary fiber of the fruit helps in rapid weight loss and further maintenance of it.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

There is no prohibition 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 removed. Dietary fiber of fruits improves digestion, which acts as a prevention of constipation. Vitamin C helps to cope with viral infections, the appearance of which during this period is dangerous.

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 traditional medicine recipes. It is used as an ingredient in decoctions to relieve constipation and improve digestion.

Use for diabetes

Diabetic patients should be careful about eating fruits. Plum does not belong to the category of products 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 initial stages of the disease. Patients with this diagnosis often suffer from pressure, blurred 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 rate of 200 g.

With pancreatitis

When diagnosed with pancreatitis, plums are not prohibited, but it is necessary to peel the fruits. It contains coarse fiber and acid, which can exacerbate stomach diseases.

For oncological diseases

According to studies, the phenolic acid contained in the plum can slow down the growth of tumors. Such a substance is a poison, but when it enters the body, it only affects cancer cells. Regular consumption of plums helps prevent cancer of the mammary glands, stomach, colon, and respiratory organs. It is recommended to include not only fresh and dried fruits, but also smoothies.

Required for the recipe:

• 5 plums;
• 1 banana;
• 10 raspberries;
• 1 tsp honey;
• 1⁄2 cups of water;
• cinnamon to taste.

The main ingredients are whipped with a blender. Such a drink will give energy and positively affect all organs and systems of life. If there are no problems with digestion, you can take orange juice instead of water, which will saturate the body with even more vitamin C.

With diabetes

Plum contains a fairly large amount of sugar, so including it in the diet of diabetics can provoke a deterioration. Particular care should be taken to include them 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.

Undoubted benefits of plums for athletes

Plum due to the small number of calories is often present on the menu of losing weight or athletes resorting to programs for "drying" the body. At the same time, due to the rich composition of chemical elements, when eating fruit, the risk of their deficiency in the body is reduced.

Is plums good for weight loss

Plum for losing weight is considered a unique product. The combination of low calorie and high nutrient content allows you to achieve your weight loss goals faster. Improving digestion and speeding up metabolic processes contributes to faster disposal of body fat.

How best to eat the product

Plum is a versatile fruit. The fruits are consumed fresh and dried. They are suitable for making jams, jams and purees. Juices, smoothies and compotes are prepared from fruits.

Dried

Dried plums are called prunes. The nutritional content of it is not inferior to fresh fruit. It is an excellent tool to satisfy hunger and provide a quick snack when needed.

Fresh

Eating 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 harvested fruit is its short shelf life, so heat treatment methods are often used to extend it.

Compotes and preserves

Compotes are a great 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

Plum kernels are used for treatment. They contain dangerous hydrocyanic acid, therefore, to reduce its concentration, the grains are first 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

Plums are introduced into the diet for children from the age of 3. It is necessary to give fruits gradually, starting with 1 piece. In this case, if diarrhea, bloating or colic occurs, the product should be discarded. In the absence of negative reactions, the number of drains is gradually adjusted 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 adverse effects

Excessive consumption of plums can cause gastrointestinal upset. Do not include the product in the diet in the presence of diarrhea or diarrhea, as this will aggravate the situation. Do not include fruit in your diet if you have the following indications:

• youngest child age;
• rheumatism;
• cholelithiasis;
• problems with biliary tract patency.

Plums should not be consumed if you have an allergic reaction to the product. Neglect of such a restriction can lead to negative consequences, ranging from minor itching to anaphylactic shock.

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