It's Fruity Thursday
Plum (Ngulungwu/iyeye/isada)
        
     
Plum is a wonderful juicy fruit which belongs botanically to the family of Rosaceae.  This fruit belongs to the genus: Prunus domestica, which also includes peaches, nectarine and almonds.  It is one of the few fruits that come in different colors.

It is called Ngulungwu in Ibo, Iyeye in Yoruba and Isada in Hausa languages.
   
                 
The common plums we see in Nigeria is the purple plum and the local yellow plum, I usually prefer the yellow plum because of its fine aroma and the mild succulent sour-sweet taste.
      
     
The pulp is juicy and varies widely from yellow, crimson, light blue or light green in color depending on the cultivar type. The skins of plum can be red, purple, black, and red, green. There is a large stone like seed placed in the centre of the fruit.  Common cultivars of plum are cherry plum, blackthorn plum and damson. Plum has different tastes, from sweet, tart taste, sweet-sour and a very pleasant aroma.  Dried plum is known as prunes.
     
Some Benefits:
1.  Great for Relieving constipation and digestive problems.
Filled with dietary fiber, sorbitol and isatin.
2.  Protects your heart.
A medium fresh plum contains 113 mg of Potassium that helps manage high blood pressure and reduce your risk of stroke.
3. Protect against cancer and cell damage.
Cleans up harmful free radicals thanks to anthocyanins, the reddish-blue pigment in some plums.


4. Improves bone health.
In a study one group ate prunes, the other group ate dried apples and both took calcium and vitamin D supplements. The prune group had substantially higher bone mineral density in the spine and forearms. (Florida State and Oklahoma State Universities)
5. Low in Calories.
This is very beneficial when dieting. A small plum contains only 30 calories.
6.  Plums destroy breast cancer cells.
Plum extracts can kill aggressive breast cancer cells; the surrounding healthy cells were not harmed by the treatment.

7. Eye care
Vitamin A is most essential for healthy eye and good vision. It keeps mucus membrane healthy. One of the important dietary fiber known as zea xanthin is best for your retina. It protects eye from harmful UV light.