Prune

Prunes
Raw plums which have not been dried into prunes

A prune is a dried plum of any cultivar, mostly Prunus domestica or European Plum. The use of the term for fresh fruit is obsolete except when applied to varieties grown for drying.[1]

Most prunes are freestone cultivars (the pit is easy to remove), whereas most other plums grown for fresh consumption are clingstone (the pit is more difficult to remove).

Production

Plums, dried (prunes), uncooked
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy 1,006 kJ (240 kcal)
63.88 g
Sugars 38.13 g
Dietary fiber 7.1 g
0.38 g
2.18 g
Vitamins Quantity %DV†
Vitamin A equiv.
5%
39 μg
4%
394 μg
148 μg
Thiamine (B1)
4%
0.051 mg
Riboflavin (B2)
16%
0.186 mg
Niacin (B3)
13%
1.882 mg
Pantothenic acid (B5)
8%
0.422 mg
Vitamin B6
16%
0.205 mg
Folate (B9)
1%
4 μg
Choline
2%
10.1 mg
Vitamin C
1%
0.6 mg
Vitamin E
3%
0.43 mg
Vitamin K
57%
59.5 μg
Minerals Quantity %DV†
Calcium
4%
43 mg
Iron
7%
0.93 mg
Magnesium
12%
41 mg
Manganese
14%
0.299 mg
Phosphorus
10%
69 mg
Potassium
16%
732 mg
Sodium
0%
2 mg
Zinc
5%
0.44 mg
Other constituents Quantity
Water 31 g
Link to USDA Database entry
†Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults.
Source: USDA Nutrient Database

More than 1,000 plum cultivars are grown for drying. The main cultivar grown in the United States is the Improved French prune. Other varieties include Sutter, Tulare Giant, Moyer, Imperial, Italian, and Greengage. Fresh prunes reach the market earlier than fresh plums and are usually smaller in size.

Name

In 2001, plum growers in the United States were authorised by the government to call prunes "dried plums".[2] Due to the popular U.S. perception of prunes being used only for relief of constipation, and being the subject of related joking, many distributors stopped using the word "prune" on packaging labels in favour of "dried plums".[3]

Health effects

Prunes contain dietary fiber (about 7% per gram; table) which may provide laxative effects,[4] a conclusion reached in a 2012 review by the European Food Safety Authority demonstrating that prunes effectively contribute to the restoration of normal bowel function in the general population if consumed in quantities of at least 100 grams (3.5 oz) per day.[5]

Nutrition

Prunes are 31% water, 64% carbohydrates, including 7% dietary fiber, 2% protein, and less than 1% fat (table). Prunes are a rich source of vitamin K (57% of the Daily Value, DV) and a moderate source of several B vitamin and dietary minerals (10-16% DV; table).

Phytochemicals

Prunes and their juice contain phytochemicals, including phenolic compounds (mainly as neochlorogenic acids and chlorogenic acids) and sorbitol.[4]

Uses

Russian prunes in chocolate with an almond in the middle

Prunes are used in preparing both sweet and savory dishes.[5]

Contrary to the name, boiled plums or prunes are not used to make sugar plums which instead may be a nut, seed, or spice coated with hard sugar, also called a comfit.[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Dehydrated Prunes Grades and Standards". Agricultural Marketing Service, US Department of Agriculture. 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  2. ↑ "FDA Approves Prune Name Change". ABC News. 2006-01-06. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
  3. ↑ Janick, Jules and Robert E. Paull (2008). The Encyclopedia of Fruit and Nuts. CABI. ISBN 0-85199-638-8. p. 696.
  4. 1 2 Stacewicz-Sapuntzakis, M; Bowen, PE; Hussain, EA; Damayanti-Wood, BI; Farnsworth, NR (2001). "Chemical composition and potential health effects of prunes: a functional food?". Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 41 (4): 251–86. doi:10.1080/20014091091814. PMID 11401245.
  5. 1 2 EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA). "Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to dried plums of 'prune' cultivars (Prunus domestica L.) and maintenance of normal bowel function (ID 1164, further assessment) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006". EFSA Journal. Parma, Italy: European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). 10 (6): 2712. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2012.2712.
  6. ↑ Kawash, Samira (22 December 2010). "Sugar Plums: They're Not What You Think They Are". The Atlantic. Retrieved 13 July 2017.

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