Plums! What are they?

A variety of fruit every week.

I decided to buy some plums while stocking up on fruit for a weekend.

They are a bit pricey at 200 Naira per one. In fact, in this season practically most fruits are somewhat expensive. Only too recently, I turned away from an Apple stall because each medium sized one now goes for 200 Naira! I used to buy each one for 50 Naira only a few weeks back.

Anyway, this time I bought five plums having considered that I could consume 1000 Naira on airtime within a day without deriving any health benefits.

So what benefits could one possibly derive from eating plums?

Introducing the Plum

Plums are stone-fruits within the same Rosaceae family as peaches and apricots. They are also known as Prunus domestica.

It is characterized by a dark purple or wine skin and yellow flesh surrounding a tiny stony core.

Health benefits 

They are: 

📍Rich in under-consumed nutrients such as vitamins A, C, K as well as potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese and copper.

📍Low in calories. A medium size plum contains 30 calories. Compare that to a medium size or 100 grams of apple, banana and long grain rice with 52, 89 and 130 calories respectively. Surprised?

📍Is high in fiber which controls the rate at which ‘sugar’ is released into the bloodstream and relieves constipation.

📍Is sweet tasting and enables an assorted variety of fruits in your fridge or pantry.

📍Plums contain antioxidants which protect the body cells against damage from oxidation.

📍Known to help in the regulation of blood sugar.

📍Studies suggest that plums can help in bone formation which reduces the risk of weak and thin bones, particularly in women after menopause.

📍Consumption of this fruit at regular intervals is associated with a reduction in the risk of lifestyle related diseases like high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Plums can also be eaten in a variety of ways:

♦️ Plums are eaten straight from the garden as well as Prunes (dried plums) which can be consumed raw, stewed or juiced.

♦️ Salads – Plums can be used in preparing avocado or orange salads.

♦️ Smoothies – Plums can be cubed and blended into a smoothie along with other fruits.

In case you have not already, it is time to give PLUMS a try. What do you think? Don’t let the price discourage you.