Five ways delicious organic plums can benefit your health

Sunday, July 24, 2016 by: J. D. Heyes
Tags: organic plums, health benefits, natural remedies

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(NaturalNews) Every year, millions more Americans learn about the benefits of eating organic foods. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in our crops and foods are becoming less and less popular, as more research and information is conducted and published detailing how harmful they are to humans.

That said, while all organic food is better than GMO-produced food grown with dangerous herbicides and pesticides, some foods have more health benefits than others. Count organic plums as one of the more healthful foods you should be adding to your diet.

As reported by Best Health Magazine, organic plums can boost your health and wellness in five important ways:

1. Bone health: Scientists at Florida State and Oklahoma State universities recently tested two groups of postmenopausal women, over a 1-year period, for bone density. One group of women ate 100 grams of prunes per day, while the other ate 100 grams of dried apples. Researchers also instructed both groups to take vitamin D and calcium supplements. The findings indicated that the group of women consuming prunes had significantly higher bone mineral density in both their spines and forearms.

As reported by NDTV, the 100 gram-serving fulfills the daily nutritional requirement of boron. And the potassium in prunes is what makes them such good bone-builders.

In fact, the Natural Medicine Journal reported, "Consumption of dried plums significantly increased the bone mineral density of ulna and spine in comparison with dried apple. Only the dried plum significantly decreased serum levels of bone turnover markers ... ."

The journal also noted that in 2007, a study involving rats found that although dried plums were effective at protecting against loss of bone density, parathyroid hormone was more effective at restoring bone density mass.

2. Come to think of it ... Prunes and plums are rich in antioxidants, and as such, they are efficient at helping to destroy free radicals that can damage cells and affect your memory.

As further noted by My Aging Parent, prunes and plums, along with a host of other antioxidant-rich foods, can also help protect aging minds from developing dementia.

In fact, as noted by NDTV, while blueberries are high in antioxidants, plums and prunes actually contain a higher amount. In a Boston-based Tufts University study, researchers ranked dried plums as the number one food in terms of antioxidant capacity. That's because they contain manganese, iron and plant phenolics which act as antioxidants.

3. No sugar, please: Dietitians and scientists know that because plums are low on the glycemic index, you won't have to worry about excess sugar intake when you eat them. In fact, they can help control your blood sugar and thus reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

4. In a word, 'regularity:' Maybe you're heard at some point that eating prunes helps with constipation and in keeping you "going No. 2" regularly. Well, that's exactly right. In fact, as Best Health Magazine reports, daily consumption of prunes is a "tried-and-true" method of ensuring bowel regularity. NDTV notes further that prunes have been sold for decades as a "digestive remedy." As a laxative, prunes are even more effective than over-the-counter medications (so get "relief" naturally).

One reason why prunes are so effective when used for regularity and to relieve constipation, is because they are so rich in fiber; just one prune contains 3 percent of your recommended daily fiber intake, NDTV noted.

5. Heart healthy: The Western lifestyle is especially hard on our hearts, and researchers have told us that for years. If you're looking for an all-natural way to protect your heart and give it some extra love and attention, then add prunes to your daily diet. Researchers have discovered that the potassium in a plum – 113 mg on average – helps manage blood pressure, thereby reducing your risk of stroke.

"Prunes are high in potassium, an important mineral that ensures proper functioning of the heart and nerve response throughout the body", Dr. Adarsh Kumar, Internal Medicine, National Heart Institute, told NDTV.

More good news: You can grow your own organic, healthy foods, even in small spaces like an apartment. It's easy!

Sources:

BestHealthMag.ca

NaturalMedicineJournal.com

Food.NDTV.com