Know the Benefits and Importance of Plums in Ayurveda

2022-03-17 11:35:23

Plums are one of the popular, tasty and nutritious fruits. It is a fruit of the rose family (Rosaceae) which is also known as prunes. Usually, plums look like tomatoes and are purple or red. Its taste is sour-sweet. This fruit is rich in vitamins, fiber and other nutrients. Consumption of plums lowers blood pressure and cholesterol. Also, the heart remains healthy. According to experts, adding plums to your diet has positive effects on physical and mental health. Therefore, in Ayurveda, plums have been described as a treasure of health.

Importance of Plum in Ayurveda

Due to being rich in medicinal properties, plums have an important place in Ayurveda. According to Ayurveda, its effect is cooling. Apart from vitamins A, C, B6, folate, many types of minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium and selenium are also found in plums which are beneficial for our health and beauty. Consuming them prevents cancer cells from growing. Plums in this form help in protecting against heart-related diseases and other diseases. Its main constituents are vitamins A, C, carotenoids and polyphenols which act as a type of antioxidant. These antioxidants are known to have various medicinal properties in human diseases. For this reason, plums are used to make medicines for many diseases.

Benefits of Plums

For heart health-

Plums play an important role in controlling high blood pressure due to which the heart remains healthy. High blood pressure puts pressure on the blood vessels, which can increase the risk of heart disease. In the research done on this, it was found that the blood pressure level of people who consumed dried prune juice was found to be lower. On this basis, it can be said that plum helps in maintaining normal blood flow in the body due to which the blood pressure in the body remains normal. As a result, the risk of heart diseases is reduced.

Beneficial in diabetes-

The benefits of plums are also known to solve the problems related to diabetes. It contains a variety of phytonutrients and bioactive substances which reduce the risk of diabetes. Therefore, consuming it is beneficial for diabetic patients.

Helps in maintaining healthy cholesterol-

The polyphenols and fiber present in plums help in maintaining healthy cholesterol by controlling the production of insulin. In addition, this ingredient is thought to be effective for lowering "bad" (LDL) cholesterol levels because it prevents the hardening of the arteries. It also reduces the risk of damage to the heart muscle and blood vessels. Therefore, for healthy cholesterol, plums must be consumed in your diet.

Beneficial for eye health-

Plums are rich in Vitamin-C and Vitamin-E which is considered good for eye health and vision. Both these nutrients keep the mucous membrane of the eye healthy. Apart from this, the fiber zeaxanthin present in plums strengthens the retina of the eyes due to which the eyes are protected from harmful UV rays. In this way, it is very important to consume dry plums or plum fruit for the health of the eyes.

Beneficial for immunity-

Plums contain a sufficient amount of vitamin A which plays an important role in boosting immunity. In addition to vitamin A, it also contains vitamin C which also helps in increasing immunity. Therefore, include plums in your diet.

Beneficial for the digestive system-

Plums play an important role in maintaining proper digestion. In fact, it contains a high amount of fiber which keeps the digestive system healthy. Apart from this, there is sorbitol and isatin present in plum due to which the digestive system works smoothly and our health remains good.

Effective in constipation-

Plums are high in fiber content which helps in reducing the problem of constipation to some extent. According to scientific research, the phenolic compounds found in dry plums helps in problems related to bowel movements.

Effective in preventing cancer-

Plums are a rich source of antioxidants and minerals. Hence, it prevents cancer from taking over the body and the growth of tumours. It also destroys cancer cells. Plums contain beta-carotene, which is particularly beneficial in preventing cancer of the mouth and lungs. According to research done on it, the fiber and polyphenols present in plums are helpful in protecting against colon cancer.

Effective in making bones strong-

Plums are considered a good source of vitamin K which strengthens the bones of the body. In addition, it also improves bone mineral density. According to experts, vitamin K is very important for women due to which there is no harm to women on menopause. Apart from this, the consumption of plums also prevents inflammation and the production of free radicals in the body which prove to be harmful to the bones.

For brain health-

The polyphenol compound present in plums is also beneficial for many types of mental diseases. According to research, it was found that plum juice works to increase oxygen in the brain and reduce mental weakness. The power of thinking increases by consuming the kernel of the seeds of plum. Apart from this, plums also contain antioxidants that sharpen the brain and make its cells healthy.

Uses of Plum

• Plums are cut and consumed in the form of oatmeal, salad, yoghurt and smoothies.
• Its juice is consumed.
• It is used to make a sour-sweet chutney or eaten directly as a snack.
• Plums or dried plums are used as toppings for ice cream, cakes and pizza.
• It is also used in muffins, bread and other dishes.

Side effects of Plum

• Laxative (stomach-cleansing property) is found in plums, therefore, excessive consumption of it causes harm.
• Consuming plums in excess can cause gas problems.
• It contains a high amount of potassium. Therefore, consuming it in large quantities can lead to the problem of hyperkalemia. This can cause chest pain, vomiting, nausea and shortness of breath.