Prunes – not just for constipation
Prunes are simply dried plums, useful not just for constipation but also in heart and liver diseases.
Prunes are good for you because of its soluble fibre content along with antioxidants, minerals and vitamins found in this power fruit.
Benefits of prunes
- Constipation: Even Cleveland Clinic recommends drinking prune juice daily as part of a constipation-prevention diet. The insoluble fibre promotes probiotics that maintains healthy immune system and digestive health.
- May halt growth of colon cancer: A study published in the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology found significant effect of prune juice on colon cancer cells and stopped the growth of one common colon cancer and induced apoptosis (cell death) in those cells.
- Prevents heart disease: Being rich in antioxidants and potassium it is good for heart health. It also reduces LDL (the bad cholesterol).
- Reduces oxidative stress: The high amounts of antioxidants in prunes prevent damage caused by free radicals that are encountered every day, in everything from chemicals in plastics to dangerous processed foods.
- Protects against liver diseases: In liver damage consumption of prunes help restore liver functions.
- Strengthens bones: Prunes prevent bone loss, and even reverse bone loss by changing the metabolism and increasing antioxidant activity within the bones.
