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Plums Health Benefits For Men

By Madhu Babu

Plums are one of the most colourful and tasty fruits. They are eaten in its fresh and raw form or dried. Either way the health benefits of plums are many. Dried plums are referred to as prunes. They are highly nutritional packed with Vitamin C, K, A and lots of fiber. Plums are a rich source of antioxidants particularly effective in neutralizing a destructive oxygen radical called superoxide anion radical and also help in preventing oxygen-based damage to certain body fats.

There are said to be over 2000 varieties of plums across the world. Health benefits of plums are researched extensively and the results have shown great amount of health benefits. The dried form of plum, referred to as prunes, is a rich source of copper and boron, both of which can help prevent osteoporosis. They contain a fiber called inulin, which when broken down by intestinal bacteria, makes for a more acidic environment in the digestive tract.

Plums are shown to be good for your hearth wherein, minerals present in it, helps manage high blood pressure and reduce stroke risk. The reddish-blue pigment in some plums, called anthocyanins, may protect against cancer by mopping up harmful free radicals. The ability of plum and prune to increase absorption of iron into the body has also been documented in published research. Plums also contain different vitamin B complex compounds like niacin, vitamin B6 and phenolic acid compounds that break the carbohydrates, proteins and fats molecules and metabolize them.

Helps in Protecting your heart

Helps in Protecting your heart

Plums also contain vitamin K which opposes unnecessary blood clotting all around the body. So this maintains good blood pressure by which heart rate stays constant. It also contains potassium, a mineral that helps manage high blood pressure and reduce stroke risk.

 Helps in preventing cancer

Helps in preventing cancer

The reddish-blue pigment in some plums, called anthocyanins, may protect against cancer by mopping up harmful free radicals. Beta carotenes present in plums are compounds that protect you from different types of cancers like lung and oral cavity cancers etc.

Eye and vision

Eye and vision

Vitamin A is most essential for healthy eye and good vision. It keeps mucus membrane healthy. One of the important dietary fiber known as zea xanthin is best for your retina. It protects eye from harmful UV light.

Help in Regular Bowels

Help in Regular Bowels

Dried plums, also known as prunes, are rich in fibre. Nutritional benefits of plums are that it helps in digestion of food as it is enriched with dietary fiber. It also contain Sorbitol and Isatin which together regulate the digestive system so that your body gets the ability to eat different foods and avoid constipation.

Antioxidant

Antioxidant

Plums are full of antioxidants which are full beneficial for the body. The poly phenolic antioxidant compounds like lutein, cryptoxanthin and zea xanthin decreases the amount of harmful oxygen derived free radicals. It protects body from ROS compounds which create diseases and aging effects to the body.

 Improves immunity

Improves immunity

Plums are rich in Vitamin C, which is needed in the body to make healthy tissue and is also needed for a strong immune system. Getting a little extra vitamin C around cold and flu season is a good idea, and may also be helpful for people who suffer from recurrent ear infections.

 Cholesterol control

Cholesterol control

The soluble fibre in plum also helps to lower cholesterol by soaking up extra bile in the intestine and then excreting it. Bile is made in the liver to digest fat. When the body excretes bile, along with fibre, the liver makes use of cholesterol in the body to make more bile thereby lowering the amount in circulation.

Story first published: Friday, December 6, 2013, 18:13 [IST]
Read more about: nutrition