Prunes have come a long way. They used to be considered the fruit that old people ate when they were constipated. But they are a sweet and highly nutritious treat.
Ounce for ounce, prunes are higher in fiber than dried beans.
Prunes are an excellent source of vitamins A and B, iron, and potassium. Eating prunes with a food high in Vitamin C significantly raises the absorption level of the iron found in prunes as it is able to change the ferric form, found naturally in the fruit, to ferrous form of iron, which the body is better able to absorb.
Prunes and prune juice are good sources of potassium; and ounce for ounce, uncooked dried prunes have four times as much potassium as fresh oranges; and the juice has 30% more than fresh orange juice.
Their sugar content is very high, with 30% of its weight consisting of glucose, 15% fructose, and 2% sucrose.
And yes, they do have a laxitive effect that is much easier on the body than any medication, and just as effective.
Prunes are dried plums.
Warning: Avocados, bananas, eggplant, pineapple, plums, tomatoes, and walnuts contain large amounts of serotonin. Which normally is a good thing. Serotonin is the feel good chemical. But – eating them seventy-two hours before a carcinoid tumor test can create a false-positive result. Carcinoid tumors sometimes arise from tissues of the endocrine or gastrointestinal systems and secrete serotonin, a chemical that causes blood vessels to expand or contract. Because serotonin is excreted in the urine, these tumors are diagnosed by measuring the serotonin levels in the urine, and eating these foods before such a test can indicate tumors when in fact none are present. These foods should be avoided before undergoing such a test.
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