Prunes aren’t on the top of everyone’s favorite snack list. But the dried plum, often relegated to a snack that only our grandparents nosh on, should be on your menu as well.
Plums aren’t just good for regularity. Research shows that they also promote bone and heart health. A study revealed that the polyphenols, a chemical substance found in plants, found in prunes boosted the formation of bones and increases their density.
Researchers also found via animal studies that prunes may help keep your arteries clear, preventing heart problems. Experts believe that the prune’s flavonoids help reduce inflammation that plays a significant role in artery disease.
You know the saying “good things come in small packages”? It’s so true with the dried plum. Here are some of the nutritional benefits you get from just 10 prunes:
- 20 percent of your daily potassium and copper requirements
- 14 percent of your iron requirements
- 10 percent of your manganese and zinc requirements
- A significant source of vitamins A, C, E, and B-complex, including folate
- Lastly, prunes are best known as a high-powered source of fiber
(via: Real Age)