By Elizabeth H. Navage
Prunes aren't just for grandmas and babies anymore. Yes, this sweet, sticky, chewy fruit is a gentle and efficient laxative, but its attributes don't end there. It's also low in calories and packed with vitamins and minerals, including C, A, B, E, calcium, iron, zinc and potassium.
The Rodney Dangerfield of fruits, the prune just doesn't get any respect. In a campaign to upgrade its image, U.S. growers have officially changed the fruit's name to “dried plum,” hoping to appeal to younger consumers.
Most prunes are the dried versions of European plums, even in California, where 99 percent of U.S. prunes are grown. The prized Petit d'Agen stock from France was grafted onto American plums in California more than a century ago. The oblong, sweet plums ripen on the tree and then head for the dehydration process before arriving in the supermarket.
For both diabetics and dieters, dried plums are a sweet treat without the guilt. Fat- and cholesterol-free, the fruit also has a low glycemic index, meaning it has little effect on blood sugar levels. It's high in both soluble and insoluble fiber, which can help lower cholesterol and also gives the fruit its amazing ability to cleanse the intestinal system.
Concerned about osteoporosis? Researchers at Oklahoma State University found that dried plums prevented bone loss in an animal study. The fruit also helped restore bone mass after a loss occurred.
Based on these promising findings, the researchers moved on to humans, conducting a small trial with postmenopausal women who were not on hormone replacement therapy. They found that participants who ate about 12 prunes daily upped their rate of bone formation.
Scientists aren't sure why the prune has such a beneficial effect on bone health, but a larger trial is under way to try to discover the answers.
What's in a name? For the dried plum, perhaps it's the adoration of a new generation of consumers. But no matter what it's called, its healthy attributes call for a taste test.
By Elizabeth H. Navage (4myboys)
I am a married mother of two and a 20-year veteran of newspaper copy desks. And I don't drink coffee! Throughout my career, I was fortunate to receive awards in-house, statewide and nationally for my work. I recently left my job to homeschool my two young boys. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, writing and continuing to learn.
