Plums

Plums are only around in Australia during our summer months and coincide with Christmas and hence why they are associated with Christmas plum puddings.

They come in many varieties and colours although most of them are varying shades of purple. Their flavour also varies from sour to very sweet.

They can be acid forming when broken down in the body – so don’t go too crazy eating your fill while they are in season. You also don’t want to eat too many at once as they are rich in oxalic acid which can deplete calcium in the body.

They have good levels of Vitamin A and potassium, some calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, vitamin C, phosphorus and traces of B vitamins. They have some great phytochemicals including quercetin.

Plums can be useful for liver diseases such as cirrhosis, hardened or expanded liver conditions and also dehydration. They can be beneficial for diabetics too.

Prunes are dried plums and they are very beneficial for constipation. See more here about prunes http://www.balancingnutrition.com/?p=961

Umeboshi salt plums or Japanese plums are very sour and salty. They can treat indigestion, diarrhea and can help remove worms. You can buy them whole or made into vinegars and pastes.