PLUM

OTHER NAME(S):

Asian Plum, Black Splendor Plum, Bullace Plum, California Plum, Damson Plum, Dried Plum, European Plum, French Plum, French Plum cv d'Agen, French Prune, Gage, Gardalu, Garden Plum, Greengage, Italian Prune Plum cv President, Italian Prune Plum cv Sugar, Japanese Plum, Oriental Plum, Plum Juice, Prune, Prune Essence, Prune Juice, Prune Plum, Prunus domestica, Prunus salicina, Queen Garnet Plum, Stanley Plum, Ussarian Plum, Wild Plum, Willow-Leaf Cherry, Yellow Plum.

Overview

Overview Information

The plum is a fruit. Some types of plum are eaten fresh and others are dried to make dried plums (prunes). Both fresh plums and dried plums are sometimes used as medicine.

Dried plums are used for constipation, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Fresh and dried plums are eaten as fruit or made into juice. Dried plums are also made into jam or puree.

How does it work?

Fresh and dried plum contain fiber and other chemicals that speed up movement of stool through the intestines. This might help with constipation. Dried plum also contains chemicals that seem to reduce bone loss in women.
Uses

Uses & Effectiveness?

Possibly Effective for

  • Constipation. Some research shows that eating dried plums or taking a plum fiber supplement (SupraFiber, Sunsweet Growers Inc.) increases the number of bowel movements in adults with constipation. Early research also shows that drinking dried plum puree and plum juice improves constipation. Dried plum and plum juice seem to be as effective as psyllium (Metamucil).

Insufficient Evidence for

  • High cholesterol. Early research suggests that drinking a dried plum product or eating dried plum might reduce cholesterol levels by a very small amount. But not all research agrees.
  • Weak and brittle bones (osteoporosis). Early research shows that eating dried plum might help to prevent and treat bone loss in women who are also taking calcium and vitamin D. Eating 5-6 dried plums each day might be enough to see benefit. But not all research agrees.
  • Liver health.
  • Appetite control.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate plum for these uses.
Side Effects

Side Effects & Safety

When taken by mouth: Plum is LIKELY SAFE when taken in amounts normally found in foods. It is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken in amounts used as medicine for up to 12 months. Plum might cause stomach issues like gas and diarrhea. If dried plums or pits are swallowed whole, they might block the movement of food through the stomach and intestines. Some people are allergic to plums.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough information available to know if plum is safe to use in medicinal amounts when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Allergy to plants in the Rosaceae family: People who are allergic to other plants in the Rosaceae family, including apricots, peaches, and cherries, might also be allergic to plum.

Interactions

Interactions?

We currently have no information for PLUM Interactions.

Dosing

Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:

  • For constipation: 100 grams of dried plums daily for 3 weeks has been used. Drinks containing plum puree and plum juice, about one cup daily, for 2 weeks have been used. A fiber product (SupraFiber, Sunsweet Growers Inc.) made from plum 10 grams daily for 4 weeks has been used.

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View References

REFERENCES:

  • Ahmed T, Sadia H, Batool S, Janjua A, Shuja F. Use of prunes as a control of hypertension. J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad. 2010;22(1):28-31. View abstract.
  • Arjmandi BH, Johnson SA, Pourafshar S, et al. Bone-protective effects of dried plum in postmenopausal women: Efficacy and possible mechanisms. Nutrients. 2017;9(5). pii: E496. View abstract.
  • Arjmandi BH, Khalil DA, Lucas EA, et al. Dried plums improve indices of bone formation in postmenopausal women. J Womens Health Gend Based Med. 2002;11(1):61-8. View abstract.
  • Attaluri A, Donahoe R, Valestin J, Brown K, Rao SS. Randomised clinical trial: dried plums (prunes) vs. psyllium for constipation. Aliment. Pharmacol. Ther. 2011;33(7):822-8.
  • Cheskin LJ, Mitola AH, Ridoré M, Kolge S, Hwang K, Clark B. A naturalistic, controlled, crossover trial of plum juice versus psyllium versus control for improving bowel function. Internet J Nutr Wellness. 2009;7(2).
  • Chiu HF, Huang YC, Lu YY, et al. Regulatory/modulatory effect of prune essence concentrate on intestinal function and blood lipids. Pharm Biol. 2017;55(1):974-979. View abstract.
  • Crespo JF, Rodríguez J, James JM, Daroca P, Reaño M, Vives R. Reactivity to potential cross-reactive foods in fruit-allergic patients: implications for prescribing food avoidance. Allergy. 2002;57(10):946-9. View abstract.
  • Erdogan A, Rao SS, Thiruvaiyaru D, et al. Randomised clinical trial: mixed soluble/insoluble fibre vs. psyllium for chronic constipation. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2016;44(1):35-44. View abstract.
  • Farajian P, Katsagani M, Zampelas A. Short-term effects of a snack including dried prunes on energy intake and satiety in normal-weight individuals. Eating behaviors. 2010;11(3):201-3.
  • Furchner-Evanson A, Petrisko Y, Howarth L, Nemoseck T, Kern M. Type of snack influences satiety responses in adult women. Appetite. 2010;54(3):564-9. View abstract.
  • Hooshmand S, Brisco JR, Arjmandi BH. The effect of dried plum on serum levels of receptor activator of NF-?B ligand, osteoprotegerin and sclerostin in osteopenic postmenopausal women: a randomised controlled trial. Br J Nutr. 2014;112(1):55-60. View abstract.
  • Hooshmand S, Chai SC, Saadat RL, et al. Comparative effects of dried plum and dried apple on bone in postmenopausal women. Br J Nutr. 2011;106(6):923-30. View abstract.
  • Hooshmand S, Kern M, Metti D, et al. The effect of two doses of dried plum on bone density and bone biomarkers in osteopenic postmenopausal women: a randomized, controlled trial. Osteoporos Int. 2016;27(7):2271-2279. View abstract.
  • Ibrahim N, Chauhan I, Nikkar-Esfahani A. 'A problematic plum pit in the piping': a case of traumatic oesophageal perforation. BMJ Case Rep. 2016;2016. pii: bcr2015213807. View abstract.
  • Igwe EO, Charlton KE, Roodenrys S, Kent K, Fanning K, Netzel ME. Anthocyanin-rich plum juice reduces ambulatory blood pressure but not acute cognitive function in younger and older adults: a pilot crossover dose-timing study. Nutr. Res. 2017;47:28-43. View abstract.
  • Igwe EO, Charlton KE. A systematic review on the health effects of plums (Prunus domestica and Prunus salicina). Phytother Res. 2016;30(5):701-31. View abstract.
  • Jain M, Pielage P, De-Ryke R. Plum stones: an unusual cause of ileostomy obstruction demonstrated by sonography. J Clin Ultrasound. 1998;26(8):416-7. View abstract.
  • Johnson MC, Fisher JK. Plum pit ileus: a case report. Mo Med. 1991;88(10):696-8. View abstract.
  • Kasim-Karakas SE, Almario RU, Gregory L, Todd H, Wong R, Lasley BL. Effects of prune consumption on the ratio of 2-hydroxyestrone to 16alpha-hydroxyestrone. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002;76(6):1422-7. View abstract.
  • Kong MS, Wang KL. A prune-induced small intestinal obstruction: sonographic appearance. J Clin Ultrasound. 1995;23(9):558-60. View abstract.
  • Lever E, Cole J, Scott SM, Emery PW, Whelan K. Systematic review: the effect of prunes on gastrointestinal function. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2014;40(7):750-8. View abstract.
  • Lucas EA, Hammond LJ, Mocanu V, et al. Daily consumption of dried plum by postmenopausal women does not cause undesirable changes in bowel function. J Appl Res. 2004;4(1):37-43.
  • Pastorello EA, Ortolani C, Farioli L, et al. Allergenic cross-reactivity among peach, apricot, plum, and cherry in patients with oral allergy syndrome: an in vivo and in vitro study. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1994;94(4):699-707. View abstract.
  • Piirainen L, Peuhkuri K, Bäckström K, Korpela R, Salminen S. Prune juice has a mild laxative effect in adults with certain gastrointestinal symptoms. Nutr. Res. 2007;27(8):511-3.
  • Santhakumar AB, Kundur AR, Fanning K, Netzel M, Stanley R, Singh I. Consumption of anthocyanin-rich Queen Garnet plum juice reduces platelet activation related thrombogenesis in healthy volunteers. J. Functional Foods. 2015;12:11-22.
  • Santhakumar AB, Kundur AR, Sabapathy S, Stanley R, Singh I. The potential of anthocyanin-rich Queen Garnet plum juice supplementation in alleviating thrombotic risk under induced oxidative stress conditions. J. Functional Foods. 2015;14:747-57.
  • Simonavice E, Liu PY, Ilich JZ, Kim JS, Arjmandi B, Panton LB. The effects of a 6-month resistance training and dried plum consumption intervention on strength, body composition, blood markers of bone turnover, and inflammation in breast cancer survivors. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2014;39(6):730-9. View abstract.
  • Stacewicz-Sapuntzakis M. Dried plums and their products: composition and health effects--an updated review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2013;53(12):1277-302. View abstract.
  • Tinker LF, Schneeman BO, Davis PA, Gallaher DD, Waggoner CR. Consumption of prunes as a source of dietary fiber in men with mild hypercholesterolemia. Am J Clin Nutr. 1991;53(5):1259-65. View abstract.
  • Wallace TC. Dried plums, prunes and bone health: A comprehensive review. Nutrients. 2017;9(4). pii: E401. View abstract.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2018.