Surprising predictions part 4

The surprising benefits of eating plums

If you’re not familiar with the fruit, plums are usually sold in two different varieties: red and green. In the US, green plums are more common and are referred to as Japanese or Chinese plums. 

The red variety – also known as Italian plums – are sometimes mistaken for cherries, but they grow on trees rather than bushes. Plums are high in fiber and can help lower your cholesterol level. But that’s not all they’re good for.

Plums help protect against Alzheimer’s

Eating a plum each day could help ward off Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, according to research published in July 2013. The study concluded that phenolic acids in red-fleshed fruits such as apples, peaches and plums may help prevent neurodegenerative diseases. 

Phenolic acids are powerful antioxidants that neutralize free radicals, which can damage cells and contribute to many diseases. 

Plums are rich in plant chemicals called flavonoids, which may offer protection against cardiovascular disease and cancer. 

Black varieties are particularly high in phenolic compounds but all types provide antioxidant benefits; just one plum contains as much anthocyanin as two cups of blueberries or five cups of strawberries. Anthocyanins also have anti-inflammatory properties. 

In addition to their healthy effects on our brain and heart, they protect our skin from sun damage. Eating a plum before heading outside is better than applying sunscreen alone because it prevents harmful ultraviolet rays from penetrating your skin. 

Flavonoids also work together with vitamin C in plums to maintain elasticity in blood vessels by preventing oxidative stress Research shows that people who eat more flavonoid-rich foods like plums tend to be healthier overall and live longer. 

To reap these health benefits, eat at least one serving per week. A plum has about 80 calories, so you don't need to worry about overdoing it if you stick to one serving per day (as part of a balanced diet). 

Just be sure not to wash your fruit until you're ready to eat it—water washes away some of its nutrients. It's best to store them in a cool, dry place where they'll keep for up to three weeks. 

Plum trees grow well even in cooler climates, so if you live north of USDA hardiness zone 7b (where temperatures dip below -20 degrees Fahrenheit), consider planting one. 

If you prefer buying fresh produce instead of growing it yourself, buy organic whenever possible since nonorganic fruits and vegetables often contain pesticides that can lead to negative health effects when consumed regularly. 

When choosing canned plums, look for those packed in water rather than syrup; either way will add an extra dose of vitamins and minerals without adding extra sugar or sodium. 

Plum juice is another good option—just make sure it doesn't contain added sugars or artificial sweeteners.

Plums are packed with antioxidants

The skins, flesh and pits of plums are all packed with antioxidants. That’s important because free radicals—which can cause damage to your cells and DNA—can increase your risk for heart disease, stroke, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. 

The nutrients in antioxidant-rich foods have been shown to protect against these diseases by protecting our DNA from free radical damage. 

So go ahead: Add more plums to smoothies or sprinkle them on yogurt. Both options make healthy snacks that can help prevent premature aging and chronic illness. 

Just remember to keep a few things in mind when you’re buying plums at the store. Always look for ripe fruit (plums should be fragrant and their skin should give slightly when pressed). 

If you can, buy organic varieties since nonorganic fruits tend to be heavily sprayed with pesticides that may do more harm than good. 

It also pays to stick with organically grown plums since they contain fewer pesticide residues than other fruits like apples and grapes. 

Finally, it's worth noting that some studies suggest there may be an association between high intakes of plum juice and a reduced risk of lung cancer, but not all research has found such a link. 

Talk to your doctor about whether it makes sense for you drink fresh plum juice if you're concerned about lung cancer risk. And don't forget to enjoy those plums! They’re great right off the tree and can also be used in recipes ranging from jams to cakes. 

 One final note: Plums aren't just delicious; they're easy to grow as well! You can even grow them indoors during winter months. To learn how, check out our guide on growing plums indoors . It includes everything you need to know about planting, pruning and harvesting your own plums at home.

Plums can prevent blood sugar spikes

The sugar content in most fruits is pretty similar. So, why don’t we experience huge spikes in blood sugar after consuming an apple? Well, there are three reasons for that: Fructose, fiber and phytochemicals. 

Apples contain large amounts of fructose (about 20g per medium-sized fruit) and almost no fiber or phytochemicals. 

This means that the body has to work a lot harder to digest apples compared to more nutrient-dense fruits like plums, which contain about 7g of fiber and 14g of polyphenols – a type of phytochemical that slows down digestion even further – per 100g (1). 

As a result, blood sugar levels rise much slower after eating plums than they do after eating apples. Additionally, since plums have less fructose than other fruits, they also make it easier for your liver to convert fat into energy instead of storing it as excess weight around your midsection (2).

Plum seeds can protect against Alzheimer's disease: While many people believe that only berries and nuts can help prevent cognitive decline and dementia due to their high antioxidant content, research shows that plum seeds can do just as well (3). 

Just one handful of these seeds contains 12mg of vitamin E (also known as alpha-tocopherol), which is roughly equivalent to 80mg of synthetic vitamin E. 

This amount has been shown to reduce oxidative stress in both blood vessels and brain tissue by up to 50% (4). Plums also contain a significant amount of vitamin C, a nutrient that helps your body produce more potent antioxidants like glutathione. 

When combined with vitamin E, it also boosts your body’s ability to eliminate free radicals from your brain cells by up to 20% (5). 

The bottom line? Eating plums on a regular basis may reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia later in lifelife. To reap these benefits, you should consume about 4 ounces of dried plums per day.

Plums help you lose weight

Plums are rich in natural sugar, which translates to one big benefit: they help you lose weight. And because they’re a low-calorie food, it's easier to fit them into your diet than other more fattening fruits like oranges and bananas. 

Plums also contain high levels of fiber which gives you feeling fuller longer and reduces your desire to snack throughout the day They’re also loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants that help keep your heart healthy and fight off disease. 

So next time you want to reach for a sweet snack, grab a few plums instead of something sugary—you'll feel better about snacking on fruit rather than junk food. 

It’s an easy way to cut calories without sacrificing flavor. Plus, who doesn't love trying new foods? It can be fun to try different kinds of produce every week! For example.

if you don't already have any plum trees at home or access to local markets where fresh plums are sold, take advantage of what you do have access to by buying frozen or dried varieties from grocery stores or health food stores near you. 

You might even be surprised by how much you enjoy them! If there isn't a plum tree nearby but there is an apple tree...that works too! These days there are plenty of hybrid varieties so it shouldn't be hard to find ones that taste great no matter what type of tree they grow on. 

In fact, some people say they prefer apples over plums! Just remember to only eat ripe fruit when possible. Ripe fruit tastes best and has higher nutritional value than unripe fruit (which should never be eaten). 

The color of ripe plums ranges from dark purple to red. Don't eat green plums unless you're planning on cooking with them; they aren't ripe yet and won't taste good raw. 

That being said, make sure not to let them sit out for too long after picking since overripe plums can go bad quickly as well. Store extra ripe ones in airtight containers in your refrigerator until you're ready to use them Then wash them before cutting or peeling. 

This will prevent bacteria from growing on them while they wait to be used in recipes Once peeled, store leftover slices in plastic bags and place inside your fridge again until you're ready to cook with them. 

Like most fruits, plums are pretty versatile when it comes to cooking with them. Use sliced plums as toppings for salads, add them to oatmeal for breakfast, dice up slices and put inside wraps for lunch or dinner, etc The possibilities really are endless!

Plums may reduce pain and inflammation

Plums may help reduce pain and inflammation. The cause for both is free radicals, chemicals in our bodies that attack healthy cells and cause cell damage, which can lead to a number of diseases. 

The plum's vitamin C is thought to boost production of a protein called glutathione-S transferase, which clears away free radicals before they can cause problems. 

In one study, people with arthritic knees who drank plum juice every day experienced significant pain relief compared to those who didn't drink any juice (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2003). 

It's likely that most other fruits would have similar effects since they all contain high levels of vitamin C. However, if you suffer from gout or kidney stones, it's best to avoid plums because they are high in oxalates. 

Oxalates bind to calcium and can contribute to your body's inability to absorb calcium This could then lead to an increase in symptoms like muscle spasms, anxiety irritability, insomnia and heart palpitations If you're unsure whether you should eat plums or not talk to your doctor first.

$1 off purple pineapple: Many recipes call for fresh pineapple but don't specify what color it should be so there's a good chance that you've used canned pineapple instead at some point during your cooking adventures—especially when time was short. 

However, using canned pineapple is not recommended because it can contain bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapples that has been shown to cause inflammation and pain in people with gout or kidney stones. 

If you have either condition, avoid using canned pineapple and opt for frozen or dried fruit instead. To make sure you're always using fresh fruit and not accidentally grabbing a can from your pantry.

look for purple-colored pineapples in your grocery store or farmers market. Purple pineapples are ripe (and safe) while green ones are not yet ready to eat.

$2 off organic raspberries: Raspberries are one of our favorite fruits because they're low in calories and high in fiber and antioxidants, which help reduce inflammation throughout our bodies. 

They also contain vitamin C, which helps boost glutathione-S-transferase production While most berries are safe for people with gout or kidney stones, it's best to avoid raspberries if you have either condition since they contain a lot of oxalates (the same substance that causes kidney stones). 

If you don't have either condition then enjoy! Just make sure you're buying organic berries to avoid ingesting pesticides and other chemicals.

Plums improve heart health

Plums are a good source of vitamin C and quercetin, a potent anti-inflammatory. They also reduce cholesterol levels by improving digestion and intestinal health. 

Eating plums has been shown to lower bad LDL cholesterol levels and increase good HDL cholesterol levels in people with high cholesterol. 

The fiber content in plums helps prevent constipation, which can lead to hemorrhoids and other digestive problems. Fiber is also essential for proper bowel function, helping you feel full faster so you eat less overall. 

It’s true that most of us don’t get enough fiber in our diets—and that deficiency can cause serious problems down the road if left untreated. 

If you want to lose weight safely but quickly make sure your diet includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. A healthy diet rich in whole foods like fresh produce will give you all of these benefits and more. 

To get started on your weight loss journey use FitDay to track what you eat each day We offer free access to professional calorie counters who can help you plan meals and snacks based on how many calories you need per day to reach your goals. 

With our tools, it’s easy to see how many calories come from fat or carbs, or whether they're coming from animal protein or plant protein. 

It's important not only to know how much food we're consuming at any given time but also where those calories are coming from (the breakdown between fats/carbs/proteins). 

Keeping track of what we eat allows us keep tabs on our total intake and make adjustments as needed based on goal progress. For example, if you have too many carbohydrates one day, go back and adjust your daily carbohydrate limit downward. 

That way, you'll be able to stay within range without feeling hungry or deprived. In addition to tracking macronutrients like proteins, fats and carbohydrates, it's also important to monitor micronutrients like vitamins and minerals.