I’m not looking for it for nothing… The reason why ‘this fruit’ is attracting attention these days
As we approach the end of March, daily temperature differences are increasing and lifestyle patterns are also changing. One of the places that is relatively affected during the body’s adaptation to these changes is the intestines. When sleep rhythm becomes irregular or meal times become irregular, intestinal peristalsis slows down, and as a result, there are many cases where the bowel movement cycle is disrupted. For this reason, experts explain that when the seasons change, you need to check your eating habits and pay attention to your dietary fiber intake.
The reason why dietary fiber is important for intestinal health is not limited to simply helping bowel movements. This is because the neural network of the intestinal mucosa is connected to the autonomic nervous system, so when the intestinal environment is stable, it can also affect parasympathetic nerve activity. In other words, if your intestines find their rhythm, it can have a positive effect on your overall condition recovery. In that respect, consistently eating foods rich in dietary fiber along with water intake is the basic starting point for managing the intestines during the change of seasons.
A food frequently mentioned in this regard is dried plums, prunes. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Nutrient Information DB, 100g of prunes contains about 7.1g of dietary fiber, which is more than three times that of apples. It contains both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber, which stimulates intestinal peristalsis in a complex way, and sorbitol, a natural sugar alcohol, attracts moisture in the intestines and plays a role in softening stool.
The reason prunes are mentioned is not just because of their dietary fiber content. Even though it is a dried fruit, research has shown that it has a low glycemic index (GI) of 29, helping to moderate the rise in blood sugar levels after a meal (University of Sydney Glycemic Index study), and it also contains antioxidant ingredients such as anthocyanins and phenolic compounds. It is known that the addition of 59.5 mcg of vitamin K and 732 mg of potassium (based on 100 g) can have a positive effect on blood vessel and bone health. As a result of these nutritional properties being recognized, California prunes are recorded as the first natural food to receive Bone Health Approved from the Royal Osteoporosis Society of the United Kingdom. California is also the main producing area, currently accounting for about 40% of the world’s prune production.
However, as it is a food with a high dietary fiber content, if you are not used to taking it, it is recommended to start with 3 to 5 tablets a day and adjust the amount according to your condition.
Reporter Wonji Lee news21g@etnews.com
