Pitted Dried Prunes - Bulk - Bulgaria, 200 g /400 g /1 Kg

Dried Prunes

Plums dried in a natural way, without using conservants, sulfur dioxide or other sulfating agents. With their vibrant deep purple color and sweet&sour taste, dried plums are an excellent choice to satisfy your sweet cravings in a healthy way.
Dried plums are also famous with their beneficial effect on the stomach. They contain both soluble and insoluble fiber as well as sorbitol, an unfermentable sugar which has been shown to produce a good medium for the production of desirable intestinal microorganisms.  Insoluble fiber adds bulk and pulls water into the intestine resulting in a softer stool that is more quickly eliminated.  Soluble fiber mixes with water in the stomach to become more viscous.  This can result in the stomach emptying more slowly, giving a feeling of satiety, and aiding in the absorption of important nutrients. Dried plums contain potassium, soluble and insoluble fiber, phytochemicals that function as antioxidants as well as some iron and Vitamin A.

Use:

Dried plums are often eaten right from the package as a convenient, portable, nutritious snack. They are also added to salads, cereals and stuffing, stewed in water or fruit juice and used in baking muffins and cakes.  

Fresh fruits vs dried fruits:

Fresh fruits are seasonal and dried fruits offer a convenient alternative source of the goodness in fruit in a convenient and concentrated form. The drying processes to remove the water, but unfortunately this process also removes some of the water soluble vitamins such as Vitamin C. However, much of the goodness, such as protein, mineral elements and fiber are concentrated by drying, and the shelf life is prolonged, too. Dried fruits are some of the healthiest alternatives to refined sugar, and they are an excellent way to satisfy a sweet craving. Eating fruit itself in moderation is a great way to get needed nutrients and vitamins. Dried fruit is a quick and tasty way to get those same benefits during a busy, fast-paced day.
Dried fruits are an excellent source of polyphenols and phenolic acids. These compounds make up the largest group of phytochemicals in the diet and appear to be, at least in part, responsible for the potential benefit associated with the consumption of diets abundant in fruits and vegetables. Different dried fruits have unique phenolic profiles.
By virtue of their high polyphenol content, dried fruits are an important source of antioxidants in the diet. These phytochemicals are believed to account for a major portion of antioxidant capacity in plant foods. Antioxidants can lower oxidative stress and so prevent oxidative damage to critical cellular components.

Some of the health benefits from prunes:

- Maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function.
- Protect against atherosclerosis.
- Potassium may counteract the increased urinary calcium loss caused by high-sodium diets, thus preventing bones from thinning out.
- Prunes' soluble fiber helps normalize blood sugar levels.
- Soluble fiber also increases insulin sensitivity and can therefore play a helpful role in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes.
- Prunes are well known for their ability to prevent constipation, decreasing the risk of colon cancer and hemorrhoids.
- Prunes' insoluble fiber helps lower blood cholesterol levels.
- Increase absorption of iron.

Ingredients:

Pitted dried prunes (100%)

Nutritional information per 100 g:

Energy - 262 kcal / 1095 kJ
Protein - 2.2g
Fiber - 8.6 g
Fat - 0.2g
of which saturates - 0 g
Carbohydrate - 71.4 g
of which sugars - 54.2 g
Salt - 0.002 g