Sunday, November 28, 2010

Consuming Prunes As Digestive Aids

By James Paulsson


One of the first line treatments advised by physicians for constipation may have no pharmaceuticals at all. Rather, he or she will suggest that a patient go on a fiber-intensive diet, supplementing regular foods with psyllium or other sources of fiber. Some natural sources may also be suitable depending on whether they contain enough fiber.

A lot of people have heard of supplements such as metamucil that are fortified with loads of fiber. Metamucil is a product made by Procter and Gamble, marketed to people who suffer from constipation. But a little research will show that there are high fiber foods from entirely natural sources. Prunes, or dried plums, are one such example. The most interesting fact is that prunes contain another agent that is beneficial for treating constipation.

A prune is actually a dried plum and has been part of human diets for thousands of years. The earliest evidence for drying plums comes from California and France. Then as now, plums were plucked and then dehydrated in hot air at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for a little less than a day. After dehydration treatment, dried plums can be turned into juice, puree or other products.

The chemical ingredients of the prune have been found to be diverse and complex, which is likely to be a reason for its efficacy against constipation. But even though the chemicals can be analyzed and categorized, we still don't fully know how they act on our physiology.

What we do know is that prunes contain high dietary fiber, around 6% by weight. The processed juices tend to have little or no fiber because of filtering, but juices still have a natural laxative effect. This is possible due to its high sorbitol content. Sorbitol is a long polymeric sugar. The weight content of sorbitol is almost 15% on average.

Moreover, people who eat prunes find that it's a source of high energy because it has both simple and complex sugars such as glucose, fructose, sorbitol and fibers. These sugars don't act directly as natural laxatives, but ensure that the natural laxative action is accompanied by nutrition.

A stream of suggestive evidence shows that prunes contain a large number of other compounds that aid in health. Phenolic compounds are found in high concentrations and have been linked to enhanced laxative effects, further supporting the use of prunes for constipated patients. Potassium is also in high concentrations. Like bananas, eating prunes may help reduce muscle fatigue and improve efficiency.

Prunes can be eaten plain or be further processed to be part of one's diet. The famous Beverley-Travis natural laxative home recipe is made up of high fiber and high sorbitol foods, one component of which is our dear friend the prune.




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