Discover health benefits, nutritional value and ways to add prunes to your daily diet.

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Prunes (aka dried plums) are more than just a remedy for constipation.

We spoke with registered dietitians Leslie Bonci and Melissa Groves Azzaro to weigh in on all things prunes.

Lets dive into the benefits of prunes, their nutritional content and tips for incorporating them into your diet.

Further, a 2022 study took a deep dive into prunes in the context of osteoporosis.

So this is good news for those who want to support their heart health.

Findings from this research show a daily diet that includes prunes may help reduce that visceral fat.

However, a recent study inBMC Nutrition & Metabolismusing prunes, dried apricots and raisins yielded some surprising results.

Theyre also particularly high in vitamin K, a key micronutrient for blood clotting and healthy bones.

Are Prunes Safe for Everyone to Eat?

Prunes are considered healthy and safe for most people.

Its best to stick to one serving per day to reap the benefits without uncomfortable symptoms.

Though rare, some individuals may be allergic to prunes.

From a health standpoint, prunes can be eaten any time of day, says Azzaro.

Some people may enjoy having them in the morning to help stimulate digestion throughout the day.

But they also make a great sweet option to have at the end of the day.

Enjoy them whenever it makes the most sense for your schedule and preferences.

No food, including prunes, will cleanse your gut, nor is that necessary for optimal gut health.

U.S. Department of Agriculture.

2024; 154(5): 1604-1618. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2024.03.012.