Is a plum acidic or alkaline? The nutritional properties explained clearly in one go
The plum is also known as Jiaqingzi, Bulin, Yuhuang plum and so on. Its nutritional value is slightly lower than that of the peach. It contains sugar, protein, fat, carotene, vitamins and other components, and has effects such as tonifying the middle and supplementing qi, nourishing yin and promoting fluid production, and moistening the intestines to relieve constipation. It is especially suitable for people with deficiency of both qi and blood, sallow complexion and emaciation, palpitations and shortness of breath, constipation, amenorrhea, and blood stasis with swelling and pain. Now let us take a look at whether the plum is acidic or alkaline!
Is a plum acidic or alkaline?
The plum is an acidic fruit. Although most fruits are alkaline, the plum is one of the few acidic fruits. Plums contain a large amount of amino acids. Unlike other fruits, which mostly produce alkaline substances after digestion, most of the substances produced by the digestion of plums after entering the digestive tract and being broken down remain acidic. Coupled with the inherently acidic environment of the stomach, excessive consumption may therefore lead to excess stomach acid, unbalance the stomach environment, affect appetite, and even cause acidosis.
Is a plum cooling or warming?
A plum is neither warming nor cooling, but a neutral-natured fruit. Ancient Chinese medical scholars applied the "four natures" theory of Chinese medicine to food, believing that every food also has "four natures", namely the four properties of "cold, cool, warm and hot", while those between cold and hot are neutral. The four-nature classification can clearly help people choose different fruits according to different constitutions. The plum tastes sour and sweet and is neutral in nature, meaning that in terms of food properties the plum is neutral; eating it neither causes internal heat nor increases coldness in the body.
Who should not eat plums?
1. Excessive consumption of plums easily causes stomach pain, and patients with peptic ulcer disease and acute or chronic gastroenteritis should avoid eating them.
2. Eating too many plums easily produces phlegm-dampness, harms the spleen and stomach, and damages the teeth, so people with spleen deficiency and phlegm-dampness, as well as young children, should not eat too many.
3. Do not eat unripe plums, as they easily cause poisoning.
4. Eating plums together with honey and sparrow meat, chicken meat, eggs, duck meat or duck eggs harms the five internal organs; do not eat them together with elk or venison.
What are the benefits of eating plums?
1. Promoting digestion: Plums can promote the secretion of stomach acid and gastric digestive enzymes, and have the effect of increasing gastrointestinal peristalsis, thereby promoting digestion and increasing appetite. They are an excellent dietary remedy for people with insufficient stomach acid, post-meal bloating, and constipation.
2. Clearing the liver and promoting water metabolism: Plum flesh contains various amino acids, such as glutamine, serine, glycine, proline and others. Eating it raw is of great benefit for treating ascites due to cirrhosis.
3. Promoting water metabolism and lowering blood pressure: Plum kernels contain amygdalin and a large amount of fatty oil, have a significant effect on promoting water metabolism and lowering blood pressure, and can accelerate intestinal peristalsis and promote the excretion of dry stool. They also have the effect of relieving cough and resolving phlegm.
4. Delaying aging: After dehydration, plums have a very high dietary fiber content and can be used to help regulate digestive system function. They also contain various antioxidants and have the effect of delaying aging.
5. Improving anemia: Plums are rich in vitamin B12, which can be used to treat and prevent vitamin B12 deficiency. Moreover, vitamin B12 has the effect of promoting the regeneration of hemoglobin, so moderate consumption is of great benefit to people with anemia.