Some people call cherry plums as plums. While they are closely related because they belong to the same family, there are some differences between them, in particular when it comes to the taste and nutritional content.

Read on to get to know cherry plums more. After checking out this article, share it to get your family members and friends who are into healthy eating introduced to them as well!

Whether raw or ripe, it’s perfectly fine for cherry plums to be consumed. Raw ones are great for whipping up sour-tasting soups and sauces, while ripe ones are perfect for turning into jams, jellies, syrups and preserves. Sometimes they are also made into alcoholic drinks. Of course you can always consume ripe cherry plums just as they are.

The taste of cherry plums is noticeably milder than plums, but they are nonetheless sweet and pleasing overall. Needless to say, they are perfect for those who are not fond of the overpowering taste of plums.

Actually, there are a handful of types of cherry plums. Some of the most common ones are yellow in color. However, there are also cherry plums that are purple and red, and they are said to pack more anthocyanins, which are antioxidants obtained from blue-, red- and purple-colored plants and are revered for their anti-inflammatory benefits.

But no matter which color of cherry plums is easily accessible to you, just go ahead and have them included in your diet. Snack on them or add them to your bowl of salad. It’s also a wonderful idea to throw some cherry plums into the blender when making juices or smoothies, of course after removing the bitter tasting seed!

Let’s now take a look at some of the perks to enjoy simply by including cherry plums to your diet regularly:

Reduced Constipation Risk

Consuming cherry plums as often as you can is a wonderful idea most especially if you are prone to having constipation. These tiny round fruits are excellent sources of dietary fiber, plus they have laxative properties, too! Just see to it that you also drink plenty of water (about 2 liters a day) and move around a lot to keep constipation at bay.

Lowered Risk of Piles and Colon Cancer

Doctors say that consuming more cherry plums and other fiber-rich fruits and vegetables may also help in fending off piles or hemorrhoids, and more importantly colon cancer that can be deadly when not diagnosed early.

Increased Immunity

There are lots and lots of vitamin C in cherry plums, and that’s why they are ideal for those who constantly suffer from the common cold, flu, cough and other infections of the upper respiratory system. While they are not in season, you may strengthen your immune system by going for processed cherry plums.

Delayed Aging of the Skin

If you’re a beauty-conscious person, you’ll be glad to know that vitamin C in cherry plums can help slow down the process of aging. That’s because the said nutrient is necessary for the production of collagen that fights off skin wrinkling and sagging. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant that zaps those skin-damaging free radicals.

Improved Eye Health

Aside from vitamin C, you can also obtain plenty of vitamin A from cherry plums. If you want to keep your vision 20/20 and your eyes safeguarded from diseases that may strike it, load up on cherry plums and other vitamin A-rich fruits.

Optimized Digestion

Regularly consuming cherry plums is also great for improving digestion. In fact, it also promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut, which has a favorable effect not only on the digestive process, but also the mood and immunity. However, cherry plums are not ideal for those with acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).