Where do prunes come from? A look at the latest main producing regions

Prune is also known as California prune, European plum, French black date, and so on. It looks like an apricot-plum, is rich in vitamin A and fiber, and also contains minerals such as iron and potassium, yet has no fat or cholesterol. It is not just a snack; paired with various ingredients, it can be made into all kinds of delicious foods. Not only can it be eaten as a snack, it can also be used in cooking. Now let us take a look at where prunes come from!

Where do prunes come from?

Prunes originated in southwestern France, which is the homeland of the prune. When ripe, the skin is dark purple and the flesh is amber-colored. In 1848 a French grower came to California in the United States to seek gold, and in 1856 introduced prune saplings to North America and grafted them with the D'Agen prune species. In the same year, the grafted trees arrived in California. By 1900, prune plantations in California had reached 90000 hectares, concentrated in areas such as the Sacramento, Santa Clara, Sonoma, Napa and Santa Joaquin valleys. At present, prune production in these areas exceeds that of other regions of the world, accounting for about 99% of total U.S. production and about 42% of total world supply.

Nutritional value of prunes

1. Prunes are relatively high in iron and rank among the top ten. Iron is extremely important for pregnant women, nursing mothers and infants. Eating prunes and various other iron-containing foods can effectively help the body take in sufficient iron.

2. Prunes are the best source for supplementing vitamin A. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that can regulate human cell function and also has antioxidant functions, and is extremely important for protecting human skin and hair.

3. Prunes are rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects the body from the threat of free radicals, promotes bone growth and muscle development, prevents vascular hardening, and helps with iron absorption.

4. Prunes are very rich in dietary fiber and have always been a “good” fruit for relieving constipation. Dietary fiber can promote intestinal peristalsis and is commonly known as the “intestinal scavenger”, and it helps prevent and treat colon tumors and cardiovascular diseases.

5. The potassium contained in prunes is especially important for maintaining muscle elasticity and maintaining the body's electrolyte balance, and it also helps with nerve impulses and the release of energy from protein, fat and carbohydrates during metabolism.

Edible benefits of prunes

1. Delaying aging: The antioxidant components in prunes are more than 2 times those in grapes. Antioxidants are extremely important to the human body and can neutralize the damage caused by oxidation, not only preventing the worsening of heart disease, lung disease and certain cancers, but also having the effect of delaying aging and beautifying the skin.

2. Relieving constipation: The vast majority of constipation occurs because the intestines lack sufficient active peristalsis. Natural prune juice contains water-soluble natural pectin fiber and insoluble plant fiber. These plant fiber components can effectively help restore gastric motility and easily relieve constipation.

3. Balancing metabolism: Often feeling weak all over, fatigued, with weakened heartbeat and dizziness may indicate a lack of potassium in the body. Prune juice has a very high potassium content. The main role of potassium in the human body is to maintain acid-base balance, participate in energy metabolism, and maintain the normal function of nerves and muscles.

5. Beauty and detoxification: A large amount of retained stool blocks the intestines, making it impossible for toxins and waste to be excreted in time, or even causing them to be reabsorbed by the intestines, resulting in dull skin, spots and acne, and offensive bad breath. Regularly consuming prune juice can promote bowel movements and detoxification, clear toxins from the body, and make the skin look completely renewed.

6. Disease prevention: Prunes are rich in antioxidant nutrients and phytonutrients, including carotene, polyphenols and phytosterols, among others. The “chlorogenic acid” in them can effectively inhibit free radicals and lower bad cholesterol in the body, helping to prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer.

7. Protecting bones: Prunes contain a variety of nutrients extremely beneficial to bone health, including potassium, copper, boron and vitamin K1. They can not only effectively prevent bone loss, but also help bone remodeling. Regardless of gender, 10 prunes a day can easily achieve the effect of bone health care.