Curiosities

People have known nutrition value of prunes since ancient times. They have used it as food, a treat, but also as medicine.

Prunes contain both insoluble and soluble fibers (pectin), which influence cholesterol and blood sugar reduction; important vitamins and minerals that have positive influence on health, such as Potassium, Vitamin A, Magnesium and Iron.

Prunes are also strong antioxidants, and they help to neutralize oxygen disorders in organism, so they have an important role in slowing down the aging process.

For this reasons, prunes are not only a tasty treat, but also the right choice for healthy lifestyle.

Compared to fresh fruit, prunes have very important place in healthy diet regarding nutritive values and vitamins. Examine the chart presented bellow to get familiar with how many nutritive ingredients the mighty prune can contribute in the healthy diet, even if only used as snack.

Basic nutrients necessary for healthy diet contained in prunes:
 
Antioxidant AO
Antioxidants help in the prevention of cell damage caused by various influences of free radicals and oxidation, and it is believed that they have positive influence on the immune system. That way, antioxidants can prevent development of certain illnesses, such as cancer or heart conditions.
 
Potassium (K19)
Potassium is the mineral present in every human cell. It helps with regulation of liquid and balance of minerals, and, in doing so, helps organism with regulation of blood pressure, as well as being an integral part in the transmission of nerve impulses, and is necessary for proper muscle contractions.
 

Vitamin A
Vitamin A is very important for eyesight and bones. Vitamin A has an integral role in cell division, and, as such, has big influence on reproduction. It also has characteristics of antioxidant.
 
Magnesium (Mg)
Magnesium, the mineral which is an integral part of bone, has a key role in work of thousands of enzymes that regulate various functions in human organism. Magnesium also helps in cell maintenance in nerves and muscles, as it signals to the muscles when to contract and when to relax.
 
Calcium (Ca)
Calcium is known for its part in bone development, as it helps bones to remain solid. This mineral also helps with the muscle contractions, as well as nerves to function properly.

Iron (Fe)
Although iron has many biological functions, its most important role is to transfer oxygen to the hemoglobin of the red blood cells. Hemoglobin in the red blood cells uses oxygen to produce energy.
 
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 helps organism to produce certain amino acids which become an integral part of the cells. Also, Vitamin B6 helps in the conversion of tryptophan, one essential amino acid, into niacin and serotonin. Besides this, Vitamin B6 helps in the production of insulin, hemoglobin and anti bodies.