The name plum is derived from Old English “plume”, which is borrowed from the Germanic or Middle Dutch languages. It’s a sweet fruit that has seeds surrounded by rock-like pits, its flesh is firm and juicy whereas its peel is smooth with a natural waxy surface that adheres to the flesh.
Scientifically, it is called “prunus domestica” and commonly known as “plum”. It belongs to a very popular family Rosaceae, kingdom Plantae. It harmonized to the same family as peaches, nectarines, and apricots but plums are much more diverse than their stone-fruit cousins.
They may vary in sizes such as some can be small or large whereas others may have either red, purple, green, yellow, or orange skin, while a few may have pink, yellow, or orange flesh.
Plums first grew in China thousands of years ago and slowly and gradually made their way to Japan, parts of Europe and America. Today, more than two thousand varieties grow all over the world. Surprisingly, they blossom in different months in different parts of the world.
Moreover, Plums may deliver various different health benefits, all thanks to the many nutrients they contain. Surprisingly, a dried plum is called prune which also adds more boon to its prosperity.
Benefits
A person can eat plums and prunes with other foods or on their own and can be used as ingredients in certain recipes, or can make them into juices as they are low in fat and on average have thirty calories per fruit.
They are also considered to be a good source of vitamin A, which is important not only for maintaining eyesight but also boost up your immunity and helps sustain a good heart,kidney and lung health.
Plums are also rich in Vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that helps the body to produce collagen and also aids the immune system. Having said that, both plums and prunes are extremely good sources of fiber that can help build a healthy digestive system.
In 2014, a study was conducted and found that eating prunes may help a person pass stools more frequently and may ease constipation symptoms. Adding to this, it also promotes bone health.
In 2016, researchers found that postmenopausal women who ate 50 grams of prunes per day had showed improved bone health and as a result the rate of bone loss was slightly less similarly, in 2020, a further research was done and studied that men eating 100 grams of prunes daily showed lower rate of bone loss and improved bone quality. If one would like to have a healthy heart and a stress free life, adding Plums to the diet would be beneficial since they are a good source of potassium and helps reduce the risk of many cardiovascular diseases, commonly high blood pressure.
Plums also contain high amounts of antioxidants that help prevent cell damage from free radicals. Indeed, they have many benefits but the next thing that comes to mind is how can we add plums in our diet?
How to Include Plums to Your Diet?
As per your convenience, you can eat them raw or cook them in different recipes, or curate a plum chutney. Such recipes are readibly available on the internet.
Moreover, plums are available in the markets in the form of jams, you can spread it on toast or eat in a sandwich. In order to avoid added sugar, choose the jams that label low or no added sugar.
Plums are not only consumed by humans but also by animals and they are equally beneficial to them as well.
Goats popularly known as browsing animals, will eat a wide variety of plant materials including plums. Plums are like a treat to goats and they particularly enjoy munching on them occasionally.
However, it is very important that you keep an eye on the amount of quantities that are being consumed. As said earlier, plums are rich in vitamins and contain plenty of dietary fibers so they are one of the safest fruits for the goats. In addition to Goats , Sheep and Horses are also plum lovers and enjoy eating them. They provide them good immunity for the long run and help maintain a healthy environment.
In a nutshell, plums are beneficial for both humans and animals. Adding plums to the diet shall provide a surge of nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants to the body, building sufficient immunity and countering any nutritional deficiencies.
This blog is written by Dr Mehrin Rizvi
