Health effects of prune

Prune has a variety of health benefits:
First, intestinal health
Promote defecation
Prunes are rich in dietary fiber, both soluble and insoluble. Among them, insoluble fiber can increase the volume of stool, promote intestinal motility, and make stool easier to pass out of the body. It's like a broom, sweeping waste out of your gut. For example, there are about 1.4-1.5 grams of dietary fiber per 100 grams of prunes. For people with constipation, moderate consumption of prune can effectively relieve constipation symptoms.
Maintain the balance of intestinal flora
Some components of prunes, such as oligosaccharides, can provide nutrients for beneficial bacteria in the gut. Beneficial bacteria can use these ingredients to ferment and produce substances such as short-chain fatty acids that are beneficial to gut health. Short-chain fatty acids can improve the microenvironment of the gut, enhance intestinal barrier function, and reduce the growth and reproduction of harmful bacteria, thus helping to prevent intestinal diseases.
Second, antioxidant aspects
Scavenging free radicals
Prunes are rich in a variety of antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin E and phenolic compounds. Vitamin C and vitamin E are important antioxidant vitamins in the body. Vitamin C can neutralize free radicals by providing electrons, preventing free radical damage to cells. Phenolic compounds have strong free radical scavenging ability, for example, chlorogenic acid is one of the phenols with a high content in prunes, which can capture and remove free radicals in the body and reduce oxidative stress reaction. This is helpful for the prevention of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.
anti-aging
Due to the antioxidant effect of prune, it can reduce the damage of free radicals to skin cells and tissues. Free radicals damage collagen and elastic fibers, leading to wrinkles, sagging and other signs of aging. The antioxidant components in prunes inhibit this damaging process, keeping the skin elastic and shiny. At the same time, reducing the oxidative damage of cells from the inside also helps to maintain the normal function of various organs in the body and delays the aging process of the body as a whole.
Third, cardiovascular health
Lower cholesterol
The dietary fiber in prunes binds to cholesterol in the gut, reducing the absorption of cholesterol. When dietary fiber is combined with cholesterol, it is excreted along with the stool, thereby reducing cholesterol levels in the blood. High cholesterol is one of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and by lowering cholesterol, prunes help maintain a healthy cardiovascular system.
Regulate blood pressure
Prunes contain potassium, which is about 155-395 mg per 100 grams of prunes. Potassium is important for maintaining normal heart function and stable blood pressure. Potassium can promote the excretion of sodium and reduce the retention of sodium in the body, thus lowering blood pressure. Appropriate intake of prune can help control blood pressure in hypertensive patients.
4. Bone health
Mineral supplement
Prunes are a good source of several minerals, such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Calcium is a major component of bones and teeth, and magnesium is involved in the formation and maintenance of bone structure. Moderate consumption of prune can supplement these minerals for the body, help to strengthen the strength of bones, prevent osteoporosis, especially for the elderly and postmenopausal women and other high-risk groups of osteoporosis has a certain health care value.