We eat what we find not just tasty, but also what appeals to our eyes. That is the reason why chefs around the world strive to prepare the best-looking dishes and the plating of food is as important as the preparation process. And it is also the reason why prunes are not in the top in the list of favourite foods – they’re dark purple, wrinkly and have a funny texture. But look beyond all of this, and you’ll be marveled by the nutrient value of these dry fruits.

To discover the hidden goodness of prunes, click here.

Prunes come from the plum family and are characterized by their ability to be dried without going through the fermentation process.

Following are some benefits of eating prunes regularly:

1. Keeps You Safe From Diabetes and Obesity

Prunes help reduce the occurrence of diabetes since they work on improving insulin function and maintaining blood sugar levels by reducing the rate of absorption of food into your digestive system due to their high fiber content.

Prunes also make you full quickly and keep you satiated for a long time, thereby reducing hunger pangs and subsequently helping you cut down on your calorie intake. They also are a healthy alternative to desserts and processed sugar items since they have the same effect of satisfying your body’s sugar cravings.

2. Prevents Cancer

Prunes contain phytonutrients and a high level of antioxidants. The former works against the irregular formation of cells, thereby reducing the risk of occurrence of tumors, while the latter work effectively on the elimination of harmful substances and free radicals from your body, thereby significantly reducing the risk of cancer.

3. Benefits Your Digestive System

Since ancient times, prunes have been proclaimed as one of the most effective cures for constipation. They are natural laxatives due to their high fiber content, helping in the digestion and excretion processes. They also help keep your bladder healthy since chronic constipation, which can lay stress on your urinary tract, is prevented.  A perfect way to start your day is by including some prunes in your cereal – This not just ensures good bowel movement, but also satisfies your sugar cravings and satiates you.

4. Lowers Cholesterol Levels in Your Body

The high fiber content of prunes makes it an excellent food for people with cholesterol problems – The fiber soaks up excess bile produced by the liver, therby forcing it to use more of the cholesterol in your blood for further bile production, thereby maintaining cholesterol levels.

5. Promotes Bone Health

Eating dried prunes regularly helps keep your bones and muscles healthy and functioning optimally. They help in the formation of these elements of your body and also reduce the occurrence of bone loss and degeneration, thereby making it a good food for all ages. Women especially should eat prunes since it can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

In addition to the above benefits, prunes assist in promoting overall wellness of your system since they contain potassium and iron, both of which help keep your body healthy, maintain optimal functioning of all organs, and protect your body from falling sick by equipping it with the required armour. Prunes also fight atherosclerosis, a condition that causes accumulation of plaque in the arteries, narrowing them as a result. Thus, these dry fruits reduce the risk of fatal disorders like heart attacks and strokes, and reduce blood pressure problems.  And if all this wasn’t enough, prunes make you happy, keep you active and help you live longer! Yes, it’s true. Prunes contain beta-carotene and Vitamin K that reduce the signs of aging such as memory deficiencies, sagging skin, bone loss, etc. and also help keep mental illness like depression and anxiety at bay.

So, follow the adage of not judging a book by its cover, and let your body indulge in the goodness of prunes. Eat these regularly to keep your body fit and healthy!

To know more about prunes and the wonderful ways in which they are good for you, click here.