Prunes

Prunes call the plums which are dried up without stones. Usually for drying choose fleshy ripe fruits of house plum of family Pink.

House plum – a low tree or a large bush which is widely cultivated almost in all countries of Europe, and also in the USA, China and Japan. Other grades of plum which fruits have dark color and the similar size too also are suitable for drying.

Usually in the countries where grow up plum, also production of prunes is widespread. The most expensive and qualitative product soft prunes of black color with characteristic sweetish and acid taste which is manufactured in North and South America, in France and Moldova are considered.

After collecting fruits of plum are blanched and, after cooling with flowing water dried up in steam dryers. Characteristic gloss to prunes is added by glycerin which process already dried up fruits.

Composition of prunes

Different grades of plum differ on structure, but on average contain in prunes (in terms of 100 g):

• 56,9 g poly-and monosaccharides;
• 32,4 g of water;
• 8,9 g of food fibers;
• 3,5 g of organic acids;
• 0,1 g of fat unsaturated acids;
• 2,3 g of proteins;
• 1,8 g of ashes;
• 0,7 g of fats;
• 0,6 g of starch;
• Vitamins – With (from 3,3 mg), and also PP, A, B1, B2, E, V9, V6, V5;
• Macrocells – potassium (745-864 mg), and also magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, chlorine and sodium;
• Microelements – iron (from 2,47 mg), manganese, copper, zinc and selenium.

Prunes caloric content

Caloric content of prunes makes 264 kcal and it is similar to other dried fruits which caloric content varies from 246 kcal (pear) to 292 kcal (cherry).

High caloric content of prunes in comparison with fresh plum (43 kcal) is caused by drying of fruits – from 5 kg of fresh plums on average at the exit no more than 1 kg of prunes turn out.

Useful properties of prunes

Useful properties of prunes are caused by rich vitamin and mineral composition. It possesses diuretic, antibacterial and cholagogue action. It is possible to carry to other medicinal properties of prunes:

• Normalization of a metabolism;
• Stimulation of secretion of a gastric juice;
• Increase in appetite;
• Improvement of a condition of skin;
• Activation of brain activity.

Also prunes are recognized by the good power engineering specialist. It helps to recover quickly forces and working capacity after long diseases and stresses and improves the state of health in general. Dried plum is often recommended to eat at treatment and as prevention of the following diseases: gout, rheumatism, diseases of kidneys and liver.

Advantage of prunes

The advantage of prunes is proved by numerous researches of this nutritious product. So, it can be considered as a peculiar vitamin and mineral complex, at the same time dried plum practically does not contain saturated fats. In this regard nutritionists recommend to eat prunes for weight loss.

The researches conducted in the USA established that prunes cause sense of fulness quicker, than many flour products. At the same time glucose level, and also hormone, it utilizing – insulin, in blood after "having a snack" prunes below, than after rolls and cookies.

Also the advantage of prunes is proved:

• For improvement of functioning of the alimentary system. Prunes belong to the products having laxative property and it is recommended to be used at locks. It is promoted by the cellulose and sorbite which are its part. Such property of prunes was confirmed with researches which data were published in the USA in 2011 then doctors of this country can prescribe prunes as a purgative;
• For immunity strengthening. Thanks to vitamin C and other useful components, prunes are excellent antioxidant and promote removal from an organism of free radicals and other toxins that strengthens and recover immunity. Flavonoids and other phenolic antioxidants, for example, Luteinum, also provide antioxidant protection and prevent aging;
• For prevention of deterioration in sight that is caused by the vitamin A and beta carotene which is in a significant amount in dried plum;
• As prevention of development of heart troubles. Potassium, fluorine and iron play an important role in formation of red blood cells that improves indicators of blood and protects from development of such diseases of cardiovascular system as a hypertension, thrombophlebitis and atherosclerosis.

Prunes use

Prunes can be eaten as a separate product, and to add it as ingredient to structure of various dishes. It is fine option of a bystry satisfying of hunger.

For preparation of its hot drinks it is necessary to cut and add small together with other components. Teas with dried plum are especially useful at pregnancy as they saturate an organism with useful minerals and vitamins, and also improve digestion.

Prunes are traditionally added to sweet plova, especially in kitchen of the countries of Central Asia. Also it is ingredient of various snack, cakes and desserts, salads and meat dishes.

Use of prunes for weight loss

Many nutritionists advise there are prunes for weight loss. It is caused by rich vitamin structure at rather low caloric content and ability to influence well exchange processes of an organism.

So, prunes are included in structure of the fruit and berry and mixed diets which, as a rule, yield bystry and resistant result. If not to adhere to special diets, prunes also promote weight loss. It is for this purpose recommended to follow the following rules:

• To eat 4-5 dried plums a day for reduction of appetite and normalization of level of sugar in blood;
• There are prunes before food, but not after it that allows to reduce the volume of a main course;
• To apply dried plum to "bystry having a snack". Mix from prunes, dried apricots and nuts also is suitable for these purposes;
• To cook porridges with prunes addition.

Harm of prunes

Thanks to the balanced structure, prunes can do harm only in cases of abuse of it that can cause digestive disturbances.

Also with care it is necessary to include dried plum in the diet at obesity and a diabetes mellitus, and nursing mothers are recommended to consult previously to the pediatrician not to cause a gastric disturbance and gripes in the child.

Also prunes can do harm if conditions of drying or storage were violated. So, it is not recommended to eat prunes if it tastes bitter, has traces of a mold or brown color that demonstrates that it was subjected to repeated heat treatment as a result of which he lost the majority of useful substances.