Prunes are healthy and taste wonderfully sweet. Here you can find out more about the ingredients and how the dried fruit is used as a household remedy and kitchen ingredient.
Prunes: Rich in healthy nutrients
Prunes are dried plums, which is why you can also find them under the names prunes or prunes. Through the process of drying, the healthy ingredients are concentrated in them. Prunes are high in fiber and contain the following nutrients:
carotene
Vitamin B2
iron
copper
zinc
potassium
sodium
calcium
phosphorus
The combination of calcium and phosphorus in prunes strengthens bones and has been shown to protect against bone diseases such as osteoporosis.
In addition, like all blue and black fruits and vegetables, prunes are rich in anthocyanins. These secondary plant substances belong to the group of flavonoids. They lower cholesterol levels, strengthen the body’s immune system and offer protection against infections and inflammation.
Prunes as a home remedy for constipation
Prunes can be used as a natural home remedy to help with constipation and flatulence. After consumption, they swell up in the intestines, stimulate digestion and also take unwanted waste products and toxins with them.
That’s how it’s done:
At night, soak five to ten prunes in water.
Consume them and the soaking water as soon as you get up the next morning.
Caution: You should not eat more than 150 grams of prunes per day. Otherwise, the dried fruit will swell up in your stomach so much that it will have the opposite effect and you will experience abdominal pain and bloating.
Prunes as a kitchen ingredient
In addition to their health benefits, you can also use prunes as a sweet ingredient, including in savory dishes.
Pureed or chopped, prunes can replace industrial sugar in cakes, desserts and biscuits.
They are also suitable as a butter substitute. To do this, simply puree a few prunes with a little hot water to a smooth mass and then use them as a low-fat alternative when baking. Replace half the butter with two-thirds prune puree. Remember that the mass tastes sweet.
As an ingredient in hearty dishes, they go well with vegetable couscous or chopped up with bean stew.
Due to their high fiber content and calorie content, prunes are also a good snack against cravings or provide you with energy on long hikes.
