Should i eat prunes daily

Previous Next Show Grid. Previous Next Hide Grid. Are we overlooking the health benefits of the humble prune because of its you-know-what reputation?

By Yasmin Noone. D'Agen prune plums in a Griffith orchard. Picture: Australian Prune Industry Association. Cooking with prunes. This week's top Food TV picks. SBS On Demand. Watch all of Season 1 as Frank Pinello explores the incredible world of pizza from Chicago's deep dish to the New York 'fold'.

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Back to Recipes Cheesecakes Cookies See more. Back to Recipes Family meals One-pot recipes See more. Back to Recipes Quick and healthy Quick vegetarian See more. Back to Recipes Vegetable soups Healthy soups See more. Probiotics are bacteria and yeast that can help promote better gut health.

They may also be an effective natural treatment for constipation. A review of 14 scientific studies found that consuming products containing probiotic bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium lactis , can increase the number of weekly bowel movements and soften stools, allowing individuals to pass them more easily.

Many different products contain probiotics, including certain yogurts, supplements, and fermented foods, such as kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi. These products are widely available in health stores. A person can also buy a range of probiotic supplements online. Some stool softeners or laxatives are available over the counter in pharmacies and health stores.

Examples include :. However, people who have fewer than three movements a week may wish to consider consulting a doctor, particularly if stools are hard and difficult to pass. A doctor may recommend making dietary and lifestyle changes or taking a laxative for a short period. For people with severe or persistent constipation, they may prescribe a stronger medication, such as lubiprostone or linaclotide. Prune juice and prunes may be an effective and low-risk solution for some people, especially those with mild cases of constipation.

However, it is best to consume these fruits and their juice in moderation as both are high in sugar and calories. Other home remedies for constipation include eating more fiber, staying hydrated, exercising more, and taking probiotics. A doctor may also recommend taking a laxative for a short period. A prune is a dried plum. Many people eat prunes or drink prune juice to alleviate constipation, but this dried fruit may offer additional benefits.

Stool softeners are a type of laxative. They work by drawing water into the stool, making it softer and more comfortable to pass. The best kind of…. Eating foods such as yogurt, pulses, wheat bran, and…. Constipation occurs when people cannot pass stool as freely as they would like to, and it may cause symptoms including bloating and discomfort. Apple cider vinegar is a popular home remedy for various health issues. Some people believe that it can act as a laxative, helping to relieve….

Can prune juice help relieve constipation? Medically reviewed by Gerhard Whitworth, R. Since prunes have a natural laxative effect, the fruit can soften your bowel movements and make a "number two" easier to pass. As noted by Healthline , stewed prunes ones that have been simmered in filtered water are even more effective, and eating approximately ten in a single day can help relieve this painful piles problem. Prunes might not be the first fruit you reach for when you're craving a snack.

However, if you suffer from high blood pressure, then you should definitely consider adding a daily dose of prunes to your snack-time routine. In a clinical trial , pre-hypertensive participants had their blood pressure levels measured. Then, one group was given prune juice and either three or six dried prunes soaked in water for a few hours, while the other group was instructed to drink only water first thing in the morning.

The group that was given prunes saw a "significant reduction" in blood pressure in comparison to their water-drinking peers. Of course, some people with hypertension will still have to turn to medication. However, those with borderline blood pressure issues could try changing their diet before resorting to a prescription.

A study in Appetite observed how various snack items satiate hunger and affect glucose and hormone response. In the study, 19 female participants ate snacks with the exact same amount of calories — ranging from white bread, to low-fat treats, to prunes — all on different days, with the most significant nutritional variations being sugar and fiber content. After eating each snack on its respective day, the women rated how they felt in terms of satisfaction every 15 minutes for two hours.

The result? The women all reported feeling more satisfied after eating prunes. To put it simply, prunes are a stay-slim snack that will keep you feeling fuller for longer. Still, it's important to remember that moderation is key. Eaten in excess, prunes could make you pack on those pesky, unwanted pounds. As noted by Healthline , a handful of six prunes has calories and Prunes pack a powerful punch — and those who eat them every day may even get some degree of prune-protection from certain lung illnesses.

A study published in European Respiratory Review demonstrated that a diet rich in polyphenols, the antioxidants found in prunes, may decrease one's risk of developing COPD, which stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This may be because the good-for-you chemical compounds found in prunes work to neutralize oxidation, and subsequently can potentially stop or even help to heal damage caused by smoking or other environmental factors.

Of course, that's not to say that smokers can counteract their unhealthy habit with prunes. Nevertheless, while more extensive research is certainly needed, there is early evidence that prunes — as well as other foods high in antioxidants — can possibly offer the lungs some level of protection from life-threatening diseases like emphysema or lung cancer.

Hey, it's worth a shot. According to researchers, eating prunes every day may actually help to boost microbiota also known as gut bacteria in the colon, subsequently decreasing one's likelihood of developing colon cancer. Researcher Dr. This is a very promising revelation; however, longtime, heavy prune eaters should also be aware that there are some small-but-notable risks associated with consuming the fruit in excess.

As noted by LiveStrong , the process of drying plums creates the chemical carcinogen, acrylamide — which means your midday prune snack contains some amount of the chemical. That said, eating prunes in moderation shouldn't cause your body any harm. Prunes can have plenty of positive effects on your body. However, if you have frequent bladder issues, you might want to start evaluating your diet and eliminate some potentially irritating foods.

And unfortunately for prune lovers, these dried plums are one of the bladder-upsetting suspects via Cleveland Clinic. Like most things, prunes don't affect everyone the same way.