What are the effects and benefits of plums?
Sep 15, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yu Yongchao
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, the main benefits and effects of plums include supplementing vitamins, promoting digestion, stimulating saliva production to relieve thirst, replenishing body fluids, and aiding bowel movements. Fresh plums can be washed and eaten directly, but consumption should be moderated, as excessive intake may cause gastrointestinal irritation due to organic acids, leading to discomfort such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. Unripe plums contain higher levels of tannic acid, resulting in a sour and astringent taste, and are thus not suitable for consumption.
Generally speaking, the main functions and benefits of plums include vitamin supplementation, promoting digestion, stimulating saliva production to relieve thirst, hydrating the body, and assisting bowel movements. The specific details are as follows:
1. Vitamin Supplementation
Plums contain various vitamins such as vitamin C and B-complex vitamins, which are essential nutrients required for normal metabolic processes in the body. Vitamin C participates in oxidation-reduction reactions, while B-complex vitamins assist in energy conversion. Consuming plums in moderation can partially fulfill the body's needs for these vitamins and support normal physiological functions.
2. Promoting Digestion
Plums contain organic acids that can stimulate the secretion of saliva and gastric juices, enhancing gastrointestinal motility. For conditions such as loss of appetite and indigestion, moderate consumption of plums may help improve the gastrointestinal digestive environment, promote food breakdown and absorption, and alleviate post-meal bloating.
3. Stimulating Saliva Production and Relieving Thirst
Plums have a high water content and contain organic acids that stimulate oral mucous membranes and promote saliva secretion. For symptoms such as dry mouth and thirst caused by hot weather or physical activity, moderate consumption of plums can quickly replenish oral fluids, relieve thirst, and provide a refreshing and pleasant sensation.
4. Hydration
The flesh of plums contains a high proportion of water, making them one of the excellent fruits for rehydration during summer. Consumption of plums can directly replenish the body's water supply, helping maintain fluid balance and alleviating discomfort such as dry skin and fatigue caused by fluid loss, especially suitable for consumption in high-temperature environments.
5. Assisting Bowel Movements
Plums contain a certain amount of dietary fiber, which increases stool bulk, softens stools, and promotes intestinal motility. For conditions such as difficult defecation and constipation caused by insufficient dietary fiber intake, moderate consumption of plums may help accelerate the elimination of intestinal waste and maintain normal intestinal peristalsis.
When consuming plums, fresh plums can be washed and eaten directly but should be consumed in moderation. Overconsumption might irritate the stomach and intestines due to the organic acids, causing abdominal pain and diarrhea. Unripe plums contain higher levels of tannic acid, which gives them a sour and astringent taste, making them unsuitable for consumption. Individuals with weak spleen and stomach function or those prone to diarrhea should reduce their intake to avoid increasing gastrointestinal burden.
