Who should avoid plums: Hidden risks in a popular fruit
29 July 2024 20:19
Beloved and eagerly awaited plums are a wonderful addition to the diet. They exhibit antioxidant properties and benefit the digestive system. Nevertheless, not everyone can enjoy these benefits. See who should avoid plums.
There are many varieties of plums, differing in taste and appearance. However, they all share similar nutritional values and are praised and recommended for inclusion in everyone's diet. It is worth noting that although plums are healthy, they should not be consumed by everyone.
Who should not eat plums?
People allergic to salicylates should not eat plums. Salicylates are compounds found in plums that can trigger allergies. In this case, undesirable reactions after consuming plums may include rash, shortness of breath, and digestive issues.
Plums are a source of fructose and should not be included in the diet of people with fructose intolerance. Fructose intolerance is a hypersensitivity to the sugar found in fruits. Individuals dealing with this condition may experience unpleasant gastric discomfort after eating plums, such as diarrhoea, bloating, nausea, and severe abdominal pain.
Contraindications to consuming plums include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) since they might exacerbate the symptoms of the disease. Once in the intestine, these fruits undergo bacterial fermentation, which is associated with increased carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide, and methane production. Consequently, this results in discomfort and fluid in the stomach.
Who should limit their consumption of plums?
Plums can be part of diabetics' diet in moderate amounts. Remember that they should not constitute a separate meal but should appear alongside protein and fat in the diet. The situation is different with dried plums, which contain more fructose and significantly raise glucose levels in the body. Additionally, when consumed in excess, plums, especially dried ones but also fresh, can have a laxative effect. Therefore, moderate consumption of these fruits is also recommended for healthy individuals.
It is also worth mentioning plum pits - they are highly toxic because they contain a cyanogenic compound - amygdalin. Amygdalin consumed in large quantities can cause shortness of breath and serious breathing problems. Swallowing one pit does not pose a threat, but removing the seeds from inside the fruit is important before consumption.
