PLUM [PRUNE] BENEFITS

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 2008 zhion.

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.