Ukraine's orchard treasure: Cherry plum health benefits
Photo: Why cherry plum is so useful (pixabay.com)
These small yellow or red plums, which can be found along country roads or in household gardens, are associated with childhood. Our grandmothers used to pick the ripe fruit and make amazing plum compote, which many people know as cherry plum.
RBC-Ukraine dwells on what this small fruit is good for, citing Strona Zdrowia.
What is cherry plum (Mirabelle) good for?
Mirabelle and its cultivars, Plum Mirabelle of Nancy or Mirabelle Fleet (Latin Prunus domestica subsp. syriaca or Prunus domestica var. cereato) is a variety of domestic plum.
Usually, it is a small tree or shrub with spherical seeds 2-3 cm in diameter of yellow or red color. Plums bear fruit in the first half of August and are very common in Ukraine, often growing wild in the streets or fields.
The ripe fruit is tasty and sweet, and the mirabelle flesh is easily separated from the stone. The Ałycza plum (Prunus cerasifera), also known as the cherry plum, is also often called the mirabelle plum and has a similar fruit size and color, but the pit is tightly fitted and difficult to separate from the flesh.
Mirabelle fruits are sweet and fragrant, and 100 grams contain approximately 46 kcal. Plums contain many valuable vitamins, are a source of fiber, and also contain large amounts of vitamin C and A in the form of carotenoids, as well as B vitamins (including folic acid), vitamin E, and vitamin K.
Fruits also contain minerals such as copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, and zinc, as well as antioxidant polyphenols.
Useful properties
The fruit contains beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, and flavonoids, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and are also beneficial for vision. They support the functioning of the maculae in the eye, thereby slowing down the aging process and contributing to proper visual acuity.
Fruits contain high amounts of vitamin C, which is a natural antioxidant, which means it fights inflammation and reduces the damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin C also stimulates the production of white blood cells, which guard the immune system and protect against infections.
Mirabelle plums are very healthy (photo: wikipedia.org)
Mirabelle plums contain a lot of potassium and magnesium, which have a beneficial effect on the circulatory system and muscle function, so they also take care of the heart. Dark mirabelle varieties also contain resveratrol (also found in dark grapes and red wine). This antioxidant fights inflammation, regulates blood flow, and prevents the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques in the veins and arteries, thus lowering blood cholesterol levels and protecting against the development of atherosclerosis.
Plums contain a large amount of water-soluble fiber, i.e. pectin. Thanks to them, they support digestion and regulate the rhythm of bowel movements, preventing constipation. They also contain sorbitol, which has a mild laxative effect.
Due to its high content of antioxidants, including vitamin C and beta-carotene, mirabelle helps to remove free radicals from the body and thus reduces oxidative stress. Free radicals cause cell damage and inflammation and accelerate the aging process. By eating fruit, you take care not only of your health but also of your beauty, as it delays aging, improves skin elasticity, smoothes it, and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.
What else can you cook with these fruits?
Ripe and sweet mirabelle fruits can be eaten raw and added to cold or warm desserts, cakes, muffins, or tarts. Interestingly, unripe, still slightly green fruits are used to make sauces and dressings to give dishes a slightly sour and tart taste.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
