The humble prune, actually a dried plumb, is one of the healthier foods known to man. Everyone knows that prunes are good for relieving constipation. Did you also know that prunes are one of the most powerful antioxidant fruits? Tufts University ranks prunes as the number one antioxidant capacity fruit. The natural plant chemicals found in prunes, play a special role in neutralizing dangerous superoxide anion radicals in the body. This action protects the structure supporting fats found in cell membranes in the brain and throughout the body.
Prunes contain high amounts of potassium. The potassium ingested in prunes helps protect the body against hypertension. In one study, test subjects who ate a diet high in potassium rich foods were found to have lower blood pressure and a lower incidence of stroke. The potassium in prunes helps strengthen the bones by blocking the excretion of bone strengthening calcium by the kidneys.
Prunes are an important source of dietary fiber. Just 1/4 cup of prunes provides 12% of the daily recommended amounts of dietary fiber. Prune fiber delays the passage of food from the stomach, which delays the absorption of glucose. This effect and prune fiber’s ability to stimulate insulin production help to lower blood glucose levels. The fruit gives a sense of satiety when eaten, which helps prevent overeating and weight gain.
Prunes control constipation by drawing water into the large intestine. The extra water makes the stool soft and easy to expel. Prune fiber adds bulk to the stool, which makes it stimulate bowel motility. The decrease in colon transit time reduces stress on the bowel wall, which in turn leads to decreased incidence of cancer and hemorrhoids.
Prune fiber stimulates the growth of health promoting bacteria in the large bowel. These large healthy bacteria colonies drive out poisonous species of bacteria. At the same time, they break down prune fiber into butyric acid, a healthy food for colon mucosa cells, and proprionic and acetic acid. The proprionic produced by prune fiber breakdown acid is reabsorbed into the blood stream, and subsequently lowers production of cholesterol throughout the body. Prune fibers that are not broken down by bacteria bind to bile acids and helps eliminate them. This forces the liver to burn up excess cholesterol in the process of creating new bile acids.
After reading this article, you can appreciate why prune extract is included in body detox formulas. By stimulating regularity, it allows the body to rid itself of ingested toxins in a timely fashion. It promotes bowel health by nurturing colon membrane cells, and promoting a culture of healthy bacteria. It provides powerful antioxidants, which help the body neutralize toxic reactions, and it reduces the formation and causes the breakdown of excess cholesterol.