Blood Plum

The blood plums, also known as Japanese blood plums, are the fruits of the prunus salicina tree, and should not be confused with the plums, which instead are the fruits of the European plum or prunus domestica. The blood plums make their appearance on the market shelves at the beginning of the summer and, unlike the plums, can be eaten only fresh and are not dried. These fruits have a soft pulp, a color ranging from yellow to red or deep purple and a round shape, not as elongated as the plums, which in addition are dark blue. Blood plums are a very interesting and healthy fruit since they are a rich source of important antioxidant substances, such as anthocyanins, which help fight free radical damages and aging processes (Li Q et al, J Agric Food Chem, Mar 2019). Anthocyanins are concentrated mainly in the peel as well as beta-carotene, another antioxidant substance present in the blood plums and that is very useful to protect eyes and skin (Cuevas et al, PLoS One, Aug 2015 - Evans et al, Nutrients, Aug 2010). The beta-carotene, in particular, even if it is taken by mouth, is useful to protect the skin from the inside, it helps indeed to counteract the damages of UV rays and has proven to be able to soothe erythema and burns. However, when you expose yourself to the sun, remember also to use sunscreens and avoid the central hours of the day because the diet alone is not enough to guarantee total protection from the damages of the sun's rays. The blood plums also provide fibers, very important for the correct functioning of the intestine and result able to counteract constipation. In addition to this, blood plums contain water, thus being diuretic and helping to counteract water retention and cellulite. Not only that, the blood plums provide vitamins, such as A, C and group B, and mineral salts, such as potassium, phosphorus, calcium, iron and magnesium (USDA Database), resulting a natural supplement when you sweat a lot.