Everyone knows that fruits and vegetables have a positive effect on health, but this "Purple Power" is an exceptional leader, especially for the elderly.
Wondering why?
Well, when I say "purple power," I am actually referring to the well-known prunes. It is believed that they improve intestinal function and are an excellent remedy for constipation. But beyond that, prunes have many other health benefits that seniors should definitely be aware of.
Slow down the aging process
Thanks to their exceptionally high antioxidant content, plums slow down the aging process of the body. Their consumption has been proven to have a beneficial effect on reducing anxiety levels. This reduces oxidative stress in the brain and slows down the negative effects on cognitive function.
Improve heart muscle function
In addition to antioxidants and fiber, useful for your intestines, prunes contain two no less important elements for the body: potassium and magnesium. The dried fruit is recognized as a record-breaker in the amount of potassium. This means that prunes can be used to prevent cardiovascular diseases, which is especially relevant for the elderly.
Prevent macular degeneration
Prunes contain, among other things, vitamin A and beta-carotene, which are useful for maintaining visual acuity at night. These phytonutrients also play an important role in preventing age-related macular degeneration.
Maintain bone health
Plums can be beneficial for improving bone health. Some studies have linked the consumption of plums with a reduced risk of bone diseases such as osteoporosis and osteopenia, which is characterized by low bone density.
Studies have shown that eating 5-10 prunes a day for a year normalized bone mineral density and improved bone metabolism in all participants aged 50 to 80.
Improve the gut microbiome and boosts metabolism
A new study published in the journal Food & Function found that daily consumption of prunes can increase the gut microbiome in postmenopausal women.
Menopause can negatively affect the gut microbiome. In turn, these changes in the microbiome can trigger other problems such as increased fat deposits, decreased metabolism and even insulin resistance.
After 12 months of using Purple Power, participants in the experiment felt a significant improvement in their microbiome. In particular, they had more beneficial bacteria from the Lachnospiraceae family. This family of bacteria is known for reducing inflammation and strengthening the intestinal barrier.
Another quality of prunes: despite their sweet taste, they do not cause a rise in blood sugar and insulin levels. Therefore, prunes are unequivocally recognized as an extremely useful food for the elderly or those who suffer from diabetes.
How to add prunes to your diet? If you have not eaten prunes before, I recommend to start with a small amount. For this fruit to bring benefits to your body, it should not be eaten in excessive quantities. A serving of 5-10 prunes is enough to enjoy the delicious taste and replenish your body with nutrients.
This delicious fruit is best eaten by itself, but it can also be used in other ways: as an additive to your cereal or yogurt, as an ingredient in your vegetable salad, or as a simple snack between meals.
Attention! Only dried prunes are good. In order not to harm your body, avoid eating smoked plums!
So, are you ready to try Purple Power? Let me know how you would prefer to eat this fruit.
In return, I can share with you some super delicious and healthy salad recipes with prunes.