1. Why are plums good for your health?
Plums have long been considered a medicinal food with many health benefits. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, not only the fruit but also the seeds and roots of the plum tree are valuable medicinal ingredients, with the flesh of the plum fruit being called "Lý tử nhục." Ancient texts record that this flesh has a sour and sweet taste, a neutral nature, and acts on the liver and spleen meridians.
The flesh of the plum fruit has the effect of clearing the liver, cleansing the stomach, generating fluids to quench thirst, promoting diuresis and reducing swelling, and dispersing liver stagnation. Plums can be used to support the treatment of yin deficiency with internal heat, bone steaming with fever, edema and ascites, thirst, dry and sore throat, beautifying the skin, and treating freckles and dark spots...
Interestingly, while most texts describe plums as having a neutral nature—neither hot nor cold, and even capable of quenching thirst—many people find them to have a warming effect. This is because eating too many plums can cause stagnation of dampness, leading to the accumulation of heat that rises and causes symptoms such as mouth ulcers and boils. Therefore, ancient physicians classified plums as something that should not be eaten in excessive amounts.
Plums are considered neutral in nature and have the effect of quenching thirst and beautifying the skin, but one should not eat too many.
According to modern Western research, the flesh of fresh plums contains a rich system of nutrients including secondary metabolites, vitamins, and minerals. These include many components that contribute to its biological value, such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, organic acids, sorbitol, soluble fiber, and vitamins A, K, C, E, B vitamins, and minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and copper.
Thanks to these components, plums have been proven to have many health benefits:
- Helps improve digestion and treat chronic constipation.
- Prevents osteoporosis and increases bone density.
- Protects cardiovascular health and controls blood pressure.
- Strong antioxidant properties.
- Protect liver cells.
- Helps control blood sugar levels.
- Anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting.
2. Some healthy ways to prepare plums
Plums are not just a fruit that can be eaten directly; many ways to prepare them not only enhance their flavor but also increase their health benefits.
2.1 Plum juice
Ingredients: 300g fresh plums, 3-5 fresh mint leaves.
Making:
- Wash the plums and remove the pits.
- Put the plum pulp, water, and mint leaves into a blender and blend until smooth.
- Strain through a sieve if you prefer a smooth drink, or drink it with the pulp to take advantage of the fiber.
- Add some ice for a refreshing drink, and enjoy it after a meal.
- People with a cold constitution can replace mint with 2-3 slices of fresh ginger.
Ingredients: 500g ripe fresh plums, 80-100g rock sugar, filtered water.
Making:
- Wash the plums, let them dry, then make lengthwise incisions or cut them in half to remove the pits.
- Put the plums and rock sugar into a pot, add a little water to help the rock sugar dissolve faster.
- Simmer over low heat until the rock sugar dissolves completely and is absorbed into the plum flesh, the plums soften, and the liquid turns a dark red color and thickens slightly, then turn off the heat.
- Let it cool, then store it in a glass jar for later use.
- Eat both the pulp and the juice. 2.3 Plum porridge
Ingredients: 4-6 fresh ripe plums, 50-100g white rice.
Making:
- Wash the plums, remove the pits, and chop them into small pieces.
- Wash the rice thoroughly, add water, and cook it into plain rice porridge as usual.
- Once the porridge is cooked until soft, add the chopped plums and simmer together.
- Simmer over low heat until the plums are soft and blend into the porridge, turning it a light pink color. You can add a little rock sugar to make it more palatable.
- Divide the porridge into 1-2 servings per day while it's still warm.
3. Some things to keep in mind when eating plums.
Although plums have many health benefits, there are some things to keep in mind when eating them:
- Don't eat too many plums at once; limit yourself to 5-10 plums at a time, and avoid eating them continuously for several days.
- People with stomach problems should avoid eating plums on an empty stomach.
- After eating plums, you should rinse your mouth thoroughly with water to protect your tooth enamel, especially if you have dental problems.
- Use with caution in individuals with a history of kidney stones (oxalate stones), those who frequently experience loose stools, those prone to acne or internal heat, and pregnant women.
- Do not chew or crush plum pits, and do not eat raw plum pits as this can cause poisoning.
Source: https://suckhoedoisong.vn/an-man-co-tac-dung-gi-voi-suc-khoe-169260601085323526.htm
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