Health benefits of Plums:
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Delicious, fleshy, succulent plums are low in calories and contain no
saturated fats; but contain numerous health promoting compounds,
minerals and vitamins.
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Certain health benefiting compounds present in the plum fruits, such as
dietary fiber, sorbitol, and isatin are known to help regulate the
functioning of the digestive system and thereby used in constipation
conditions.
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Fresh plums are an excellent source of
vitamin C, which is also a powerful natural antioxidant. Consumption of
foods rich in vitamin C helps body develop resistance against infectious
agents, counter inflammation and scavenge harmful free radicals.
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Fresh plums, especially yellow Mirabelle type, are very good source of
vitamin A and beta carotene. Vitamin A is essential for vision. It is
also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin.
Consumption of natural fruits rich in vitamin A known to protect from
lung and oral cavity cancers.
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The fruit is also good in
health promoting flavonoid poly phenolic antioxidants such as lutein,
cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin in significant amounts. These compounds
help act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals
and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging and various
disease process. zeaxanthin, an important dietary carotenoid selectively
absorbed into the retinal macula lutea where it is thought to provide
antioxidant and protective light-filtering functions.
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Plums are rich in minerals like potassium, fluoride and iron. Iron is
required for red blood cell formation. Potassium in an important
component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and
blood pressure.
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Rich in B-complex group of vitamins such
as niacin, vitamin B-6 and pantothenic acid. These vitamins are acting
as cofactors help body metabolize carbohydrates, proteins and fats. They
also provide about 5% RDA levels of vitamin K. Vitamin K is essential
for many clotting factors function in the blood as well as in bone
metabolism and helps reduce Alzheimer's disease in the elderly.