Prunes

Listing ID #4097691

A prune is any of various plum species, mostly Prunus domesticus or European Plum (commonly referred to as a Sugar Plum). They are usually sold as dried fruit. Fresh plums that are marketed as "prunes" have an oval shape and a more easily removed pit. The dried fruit is wrinkly in texture and chewy on the inside.

All prunes are plums, but not every plum is choicest to be a prune. They are good source of potassium the mineral for maintaining normal blood pressure, heart function & reduced risks of a stroke. It also promotes bone health & slows down muscular degeneration. Prunes also aid in normalizing blood sugar levels, provide intestinal protection & lower cholesterol. Remember to keep prunes fresh by storing them in airtight containers in a cool, dry & dark place.

Prune History
The first plum trees took root in the U.S. during the California Gold Rush when brothers Louis and Pierre Pellier brought the Petit d’Agen plum tree from France and grafted it to a wild American plum tree.

Initially, farmers picked the fresh prunes by hand and dried them in the open air and sun. In 1905, a farmer brought in monkeys from Panama to pick the fruit instead, with a human supervisor in tow. The monkeys were great at picking the prunes, but also enjoyed eating the fruits of their labor. Soon enough, they were replaced by humans and machines that pick the fresh prunes which were then dried in mechanical dehydrators.

The prune graft is known today as the California French Prune and comprises approximately 99% of the state’s production, most of which lies within the Sacramento Valley. The rich valley soil and abundant water supply provide ideal growing conditions for high quality prunes.

Health Benefits
Prunes are absolutely bursting with nutrients and goodness.

• Prunes are the richest food source of protective antioxidants providing a massive boost to natural resistance and vitality. Antioxidants may help lower the risk of heart and lung diseases, some cancers, cataract formation and the effects of aging.

• Prunes have vitamin A, important for healthy eyes and skin, vision, growth, reproduction and the immune system.

• They contain potassium, necessary for nerve impulses and muscle contractions.

• Prunes contain magnesium, vital to many basic metabolic functions.

• Prunes also contain copper that helps the body metabolize and use carbohydrates, thus providing it with energy.

• Prunes provide both soluble and insoluble dietary fibre. About 60 per cent of the dietary fibre in Prunes is pectin, a soluble fibre linked to lowering blood cholesterol levels. Soluble fibre helps reduce blood cholesterol levels thereby reducing the risk of heart disease. Insoluble fibre works mainly in the large intestine, acting like a laxative.

• According to research, prunes may also boost skeletal health. Prunes may contribute to the prevention of bone loss in post-menopausal women. The study showed that women who ate 12 prunes daily for three months had significant increases in serum markers of bone formation, and serum BSAP (bone-specific alkaline phosphatase) activity.

American Dry Fruits provides you with a range of special mithai, dry fruit cake and dry fruit roast containing the choicest prunes for all festivities and occasions to share with family and loved ones.