Saturday 1 December 2007

Health Benefits of Prunes


Welcome to Jeenas Kitchen.. this page will show you the "health benefits of eating prunes" also I will show you a very tasty prune pudding recipe.

Prunes are dried plums and are packed with health benefits, not only are they good for your health but they are so versatile in cooking too as you can see from my recipe.

Prunes are deep rich brown/purple in colour and taste so fantastic.



Here are 8 reasons to include prunes in your diet...


1. They contain 'Phenols' which are an antioxidant proven to be damage preventing particularly against a dangerous oxygen radical called superoxide anion radical.

Also they have proved to help prevent oxygen and free radical damage to our body fats.



2. Prunes can deter oxygen related damage to our cells due to its high content of Beta Carotene, this is vital as beta carotene in cancer fighting and can help prevent conditions like heart disease, atherosclerosis, colon cancer and diabetes.

Also this vitamin is known to reduce severe inflammatory conditions like osteoarthritis, asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.


3. Prunes help lower cholesterol through binding bile acids and carrying them out of the body through the feces.

Bile acids come from the liver to digest fats, when prunes carry out this bile the liver has to produce more, this time using up more cholesterol which means less cholesterol in your circulation.



4. Prunes are well talked about when it comes to "preventing constipation" and with good reason.

Prunes provide bulk and decrease the transit time of fecal matter, this decreases the risk of colon cancer.


When prunes are in the large intestine they provide 'food' for the friendly bacteria, when the prunes are fermented by this friendly bacteria they produce a short chain fatty acid called butyric acid which helps keep your colon healthy. Also 2 other short chain fatty acids are created, propionic acid and acetic acid which the liver and muscles use as a fuel.


5. The soluble fiber in prunes can help normalize blood sugar levels. It delays the absorption of glucose into the blood by slowing down the rate at which food leaves your stomach, this soluble fiber increases insulin sensitivity and can be a helpful role in preventing and treating type 2 diabetes.

Also prunes give you a sense of 'fullness' after eating a meal which can prevent over eating in obese people.



6. Prunes are high in potassium which is essential for heart function and normal blood pressure. Just one quarter of a cup of prunes contains a massive 316.6 mg of potassium!

Yet the same only has 1.7 mg of sodium. This may help prevent atherosclerosis and high blood pressure, the high amount of potassium in prunes may also help in bone conditions. High salt diets can lead to urinary calcium loss which causes thinning of the bones.

The high potassium levels in prunes may counteract this.


7. Prunes help your body absorb iron, they contain amino acids and vitamins.


8. Prunes can be used as a natural sweetener they are very sweet in taste and are a great alternative to sugar.



So now you know the "health benefits of prunes".. how do we use them in Cooking ?

Well, there are many ways to use prunes in cooking !!..... So let's now get cooking with prunes !

Click here to see Chefs prune pudding recipe


12 comments:

Viji said...

Prunes are my regular snack Jeena. They are gems really. Nice informative post. The pudding is mouth watering with low fat ingredients. The stuffed bell peppers are so cute with the veggie stuffing. Changed to Vegan this time :) so many vegetarian dishes. Each and everyone shows your touch as usual. Have a good day. Viji

Chef Jeena said...

Hi Viji thanks for your comment I'm glad you liked my post on prunes. :) I don't really eat too much meat so I am really into vegetarian recipes they are great. :) You have a good day also, thanks for stopping by. :)

The Bhandari's said...

hmm great , have got prunes in my fridge for last few days and haven't even opened them, didn't know they are so good, now have to read the pudding recipe below and give it a go... hopefully 2morow only

Chef Jeena said...

Hi Preeti thanks for the comments I'm glad you liked my prune post they are really healthy. :)

Cynthia said...

You make me want to go have some prunes right now :)

Seena said...

Jeena,
very nice informative post dear friend!
you know, the most easiest way to take them (I don't like eating them, so)just wash them, soak in drinking water on night ,next day, squeeze or blend them in the same water and drink!
hm, how is it? :)

Pooja said...

Informative post Jeena. thanks for sharing. Prunes are indeed very healthy .

Chef Jeena said...

Hi Cynthia thanks for stopping by. :)

Seena I will try your way of making a prune drink, thankyou it sounds great. :) I hope your well thanks for stopping by. :)

Hey Pooja thanks for stopping by I'm glad you like dthe post. :)

Finla said...

I have dried prunes as a snack but not regularly.
Few times i've used them in cakes. Mt mother in law makes a meat dish with prunes. But i am not a fan of that dish :-(((

USHA said...

Hi Jeena.,

Gr8 information dear....really though we know Prunes...after reading its benefits it really makes us to buy and eat often...Thanks alot.

kitchen queen said...

Hi Jeena ur article on the health benefits of prunes point by point is very interesting for everybody. So far I have been eating prunes without knowing its actual benefits. I love prunes for its taste.Now all the more I shall have it regularly. You can visit my blog and vie my recipes.

Unknown said...

I like to snack on prunes, I also like to throw them into my smoothies. I have a sweet tooth, so it is like eating candy