Зміст
Plums are a delicious fruit with nutritional and health benefits. Plums are worth eating because they contain high amounts of pectin, a type of fiber that removes deposits from the digestive tract and removes fat and cholesterol from cells. Thanks to this, consuming a few or a dozen plums a day will improve intestinal motility and help with constipation. Also, plums have an excellent effect on the circulatory system, as they lower blood pressure and prevent atherosclerosis. These fruits also contribute to weight loss due to their high fiber content.
Plums: an underrated fruit
Plums are fruit trees that have been cultivated since ancient times. They are found in the temperate zone and in the warm Northern Hemisphere. The most popular species grown in Ukraine and in the world is domestic plum, numbering at least several hundred, if not several thousand, varieties. It has large, fleshy fruits that appear on the tree from July to November.
In Ukraine, Hungarian plums, Mirabelle plums and green leaves are most often used. Various jams are made from these fruits, incl. jams, marmalade, compotes and liqueurs. Candied fruits or prunes also taste great. The latter are even superior in nutritional value to fresh fruits. However, plums are an underrated fruit. Due to the long season for them, they are not as expected as, in particular, strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. Meanwhile, plums are fruity, which have many health benefits. Why should you eat them?
Why is it worth eating plums?
Due to its rich composition, plums have a very positive effect on health. First, they have a good effect on the gastrointestinal tract, since they improve intestinal motility and remove unnecessary deposits, as well as fat and cholesterol accumulating in cells. For this reason, drinking a few or a dozen plums a day can help relieve constipation. Plus, the high amounts of fiber and antioxidants in plums means that regular consumption of these fruits can lower blood cholesterol levels and prevent atherosclerosis. However, due to their potassium content, plums help lower blood pressure.
These delicious fruits are also recommended for people who are struggling with capillary disorders. The vitamins K and C contained in the plum strengthen and close the blood vessels. Plums also slow down the aging process and have a positive effect on beauty by nourishing and moisturizing the skin. It is worth noting that plums are also good for the nervous system and contribute to well-being thanks to vitamin B6 and magnesium. Prunes are superior to fresh plums in many ways because they contain five times more vitamin A and seven times more fiber. Despite the fact that they are high in calories, you can get them on a weight loss diet, because they will leave you feeling full for a long time and have a laxative effect. However, do not overdo it – it is enough to eat a few pieces a day or drink 1-2 glasses of dried compote to improve the functioning of the digestive tract.
Plums: Application
Delicious and healthy plums are an important raw material for processing in Ukraine. Jams and marmalade can be made from these fruits. Jams, compotes, or frozen foods. They also make a delicious tincture – plum brandy. How else can you use plums? They can be a great addition to meats, pates, cold cuts and cakes. It is also worth drying plums yourself and reaching for them all year round.
How to dry plums?
If we want to dry plums, we must choose the right fruits. For this purpose, you can only use Hungarian plums, the skin of which is slightly wrinkled at the stem. The fruit should be dipped in boiling water for a minute to make the skin softer. Then place the plums on a strainer and dry in the oven at 60 degrees Celsius for 24 hours. At the end, it is enough to dry the plums in a ventilated place for another 24 hours.
