PLUM [PRUNE] BENEFITS
Plum is a good source of vitamin A (in the form of
beta-carotene), vitamin B2, dietary fiber and potassium.
Plum [Prunus domestica L. var. domestica; European plum] is
one of the few juicy sweet tasting fruits in the world and it is
usually available in the summer and in the fall. Plum belongs to
the rosaceae family rosaceae (rose family) and the Prunus
geneus of plants. Plum is considered as a drupe that its fruits
have a hard stone pit surrounding its seeds. Prune is another
name for plum or means a dried plum, used in cookery. [1,2]
Both Plum and prune (dried plum) have high contents of
phenolic compounds- neochlorogenic and chlorogencic acids.
They both are antioxidants. [3]
HOW IS PRUNE MADE?
Most dried prunes are prepared from cultivar d'Agen, especially
in California and France. After harvest, plums are dehydrated in
hot air at 85 to 90 degrees C for 18 h. [3]
WHY IS PRUNE CONSIDERED AS FUNCTIONAL FRUIT?
Because of its sweet flavor and well-known mild laxative effect,
prune is considered to be an epitome of functional foods. Dried
prunes contain approximately 6.1 g of dietary fiber per 100 g,
while prune juice is devoid of fiber. Both dried prune and prune
juice have laxative action, thus, the laxative action is probably
due to the high sorbitol content (14.7 and 6.1 g/100 g,
respectively). [3]
WHY IS PRUNE SO POPULAR IN SPORT INDUSTRY?
Prune contains large amounts of simple sugars. But its high
fiber content prevents a rapid rise in blood sugar concentration.
Consequently, it is considered as a high-energy fruit. [3]
HOW DOES PRUNE HELP PREVENT CHRONIC DISEASES
SUCH AS HEART DISEASE AND CANCER?
Prunes contain large amounts of phenolic compounds (184
mg/100 g), mainly as neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acids.
Phenolic compounds in prunes had been found to inhibit human
LDL oxidation in vitro, and thus might serve as preventive
agents against chronic diseases, such as heart disease and
cancer. [3-6]
Additionally, high potassium content of prunes (745 mg/100 g)
might be beneficial for cardiovascular health.
WHAT OTHER BENEFIT DOES PRUNE OFFER?
Dried prunes are an important source of boron, which is
postulated to play a role in prevention of osteoporosis. [8] A
serving of prunes (100 g) fulfills the daily requirement for boron
(2 to 3 mg). [3]
HOW MUCH DOES THE SOIL MANAGEMENT AFFECT ON
NUTRIENT (OR THE PHYTOCHEMICAL) CONTENTS?
Researchers found that there was a significant impact of the soil
management on the antioxidant, vitamins and phenolic
compounds contents. Ascorbic acid, alpha-,
gamma-tocopherols, and beta-carotene were found to be
higher in organic plums grown on soil covered with natural
meadow. Trifolium helps a better yield of phenolic acids in
plums. Conventional plums had higher total polyphenol and
quercetin contents than organic plums, while, organic plums
had higher contents of myrecitin and kaempferol. [7]
DOES PLUM OR PRUNE LEAD TO KIDNEY STONES?
Some scholars claim that plums contain a measurable amount
of oxalates. These oxalates at high concentrations will
crystallize and cause kidney or gallbladder problems. However,
in a study of 12 healthy male subjects aged 18-38 y, German
researchers found that plum juice had no significant effect on
the urinary composition. [9]
THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. AUTHOR DOES NOT
GURANTEE ITS ACCURACY. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, YOU
SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR. ALL RIGHT RESERVED
2005 zhion inc.
REFERENCES
[1] Plants Database Online-Publication, Natural Resources Conservative Service,
United States Department of Agriculture. September 19, 2005. [2] Definition of
Prune, BrainyDictionary.com, Online Publication, September 19, 2005. [3]
Stacewicz-Sapuntzakis M et al Chemical composition and potential health effects
of prunes: a functional food? Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2001 May;41(4):251-86. 4.
Kayano S et al, Antioxidant activity of prune (Prunus domestica L.) constituents
and a new synergist. J Agric Food Chem. 2002 Jun 19;50(13):3708-12. 5.
Nakatani N et al, Identification, quantitative determination, and antioxidative
activities of chlorogenic acid isomers in prune (Prunus domestica L. ). J Agric
Food Chem. 2000 Nov;48(11):5512-6. 6. Kayano S et al, Quantitative evaluation
of antioxidant components in prunes (Prunus domestica L.). J Agric Food Chem.
2003 Feb 26;51(5):1480-5. 7. Lombardi-Boccia G et al, Nutrients and antioxidant
molecules in yellow plums (Prunus domestica L.) from conventional and organic
productions: a comparative study. J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Jan 14;52(1):90-4.
8. Grajeta H Nutrition in prevention and treatment of osteoporosis Przegl Lek.
2003;60(10):649-53. 9. Kessler T et al, Effect of blackcurrant-, cranberry- and
plum juice consumption on risk factors associated with kidney stone formation.
Eur J Clin Nutr. 2002 Oct;56(10):1020-3.
beta-carotene), vitamin B2, dietary fiber and potassium.
Plum [Prunus domestica L. var. domestica; European plum] is
one of the few juicy sweet tasting fruits in the world and it is
usually available in the summer and in the fall. Plum belongs to
the rosaceae family rosaceae (rose family) and the Prunus
geneus of plants. Plum is considered as a drupe that its fruits
have a hard stone pit surrounding its seeds. Prune is another
name for plum or means a dried plum, used in cookery. [1,2]
Both Plum and prune (dried plum) have high contents of
phenolic compounds- neochlorogenic and chlorogencic acids.
They both are antioxidants. [3]
HOW IS PRUNE MADE?
Most dried prunes are prepared from cultivar d'Agen, especially
in California and France. After harvest, plums are dehydrated in
hot air at 85 to 90 degrees C for 18 h. [3]
WHY IS PRUNE CONSIDERED AS FUNCTIONAL FRUIT?
Because of its sweet flavor and well-known mild laxative effect,
prune is considered to be an epitome of functional foods. Dried
prunes contain approximately 6.1 g of dietary fiber per 100 g,
while prune juice is devoid of fiber. Both dried prune and prune
juice have laxative action, thus, the laxative action is probably
due to the high sorbitol content (14.7 and 6.1 g/100 g,
respectively). [3]
WHY IS PRUNE SO POPULAR IN SPORT INDUSTRY?
Prune contains large amounts of simple sugars. But its high
fiber content prevents a rapid rise in blood sugar concentration.
Consequently, it is considered as a high-energy fruit. [3]
HOW DOES PRUNE HELP PREVENT CHRONIC DISEASES
SUCH AS HEART DISEASE AND CANCER?
Prunes contain large amounts of phenolic compounds (184
mg/100 g), mainly as neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acids.
Phenolic compounds in prunes had been found to inhibit human
LDL oxidation in vitro, and thus might serve as preventive
agents against chronic diseases, such as heart disease and
cancer. [3-6]
Additionally, high potassium content of prunes (745 mg/100 g)
might be beneficial for cardiovascular health.
WHAT OTHER BENEFIT DOES PRUNE OFFER?
Dried prunes are an important source of boron, which is
postulated to play a role in prevention of osteoporosis. [8] A
serving of prunes (100 g) fulfills the daily requirement for boron
(2 to 3 mg). [3]
HOW MUCH DOES THE SOIL MANAGEMENT AFFECT ON
NUTRIENT (OR THE PHYTOCHEMICAL) CONTENTS?
Researchers found that there was a significant impact of the soil
management on the antioxidant, vitamins and phenolic
compounds contents. Ascorbic acid, alpha-,
gamma-tocopherols, and beta-carotene were found to be
higher in organic plums grown on soil covered with natural
meadow. Trifolium helps a better yield of phenolic acids in
plums. Conventional plums had higher total polyphenol and
quercetin contents than organic plums, while, organic plums
had higher contents of myrecitin and kaempferol. [7]
DOES PLUM OR PRUNE LEAD TO KIDNEY STONES?
Some scholars claim that plums contain a measurable amount
of oxalates. These oxalates at high concentrations will
crystallize and cause kidney or gallbladder problems. However,
in a study of 12 healthy male subjects aged 18-38 y, German
researchers found that plum juice had no significant effect on
the urinary composition. [9]
THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. AUTHOR DOES NOT
GURANTEE ITS ACCURACY. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, YOU
SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR. ALL RIGHT RESERVED
2005 zhion inc.
REFERENCES
[1] Plants Database Online-Publication, Natural Resources Conservative Service,
United States Department of Agriculture. September 19, 2005. [2] Definition of
Prune, BrainyDictionary.com, Online Publication, September 19, 2005. [3]
Stacewicz-Sapuntzakis M et al Chemical composition and potential health effects
of prunes: a functional food? Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2001 May;41(4):251-86. 4.
Kayano S et al, Antioxidant activity of prune (Prunus domestica L.) constituents
and a new synergist. J Agric Food Chem. 2002 Jun 19;50(13):3708-12. 5.
Nakatani N et al, Identification, quantitative determination, and antioxidative
activities of chlorogenic acid isomers in prune (Prunus domestica L. ). J Agric
Food Chem. 2000 Nov;48(11):5512-6. 6. Kayano S et al, Quantitative evaluation
of antioxidant components in prunes (Prunus domestica L.). J Agric Food Chem.
2003 Feb 26;51(5):1480-5. 7. Lombardi-Boccia G et al, Nutrients and antioxidant
molecules in yellow plums (Prunus domestica L.) from conventional and organic
productions: a comparative study. J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Jan 14;52(1):90-4.
8. Grajeta H Nutrition in prevention and treatment of osteoporosis Przegl Lek.
2003;60(10):649-53. 9. Kessler T et al, Effect of blackcurrant-, cranberry- and
plum juice consumption on risk factors associated with kidney stone formation.
Eur J Clin Nutr. 2002 Oct;56(10):1020-3.
