What are Prunes?

Prunes are nothing but dried plums. While all prunes are dried versions of plums, all plums are not used for making prunes. These dried fruits are believed to have numerous health benefits.

Prunes are the dried versions of some types of plums. Mostly European plums (Prunus domestica), especially the La Petite d'Agen variety, which is used for making prunes. It is said that plums that are usually used for making prunes are very rich in sugar content and this enables them to be dried with pits, without fermenting.

Such prunes will have a wrinkly texture with a sweet, sticky and chewy flesh. Prunes are usually found to have a brown to black skin and are dried with the help of machines or sunlight.

In case of other plums (that are not usually used for making prunes), the dried versions are termed dried plums and not prunes. For example, Japanese plums that are edible in fresh form are available in dried versions too. But, the latter is never referred to as prunes, but, as dried plums only.

As mentioned above, dried versions of certain types of plums (like European plum) are called prunes. If other types of plums are dried, then they are called dried plums only.

However, in the United States, a survey was conducted in the latter part of the twentieth century and as per this survey, the term dried plums was found to be more favorable for the target audience (women in the age group of 25 to 55). It was also suggested that the term dried plum is more descriptive for people who do not know anything about prunes.

So, as per the recommendation of the California Prune Board, the FDA changed the official name of prunes in USA, as dried plums. So, in USA, you will get prunes as dried plums too.

Prunes for constipation is quite a well-known remedy for the said condition. Even infants and small kids are administered with prune juice, for smooth bowel movements. Being high in fiber content, prunes increase the bulk of stools and reduces the transit time of stools.

These dried plums contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. While, soluble fiber is said to be beneficial in reducing high cholesterol levels, insoluble fiber is good for the beneficial bacteria in the bowel.

Prunes are also a rich source of antioxidants that fight free radicals, thereby protecting the body from various diseases, including cancer. Being rich in potassium, prunes are also good for cardiovascular health. It is said that prunes are good for those with hypertension. It is also said to be beneficial in lowering high blood sugar levels. Nowadays, prunes are also used in several weight loss programs.

Now that you know more about prunes and how they are beneficial for health. There are several prune recipes like stewed prunes. You can try some of these recipes and reap the health benefits of prunes.