Prunes are dried plums and are very popular with most people mainly due to their sweet flavor. Very few people who enjoy eating prunes actually give thought to the number of calories in prunes. Prunes have a sticky texture, and provide its consumers with a number of nutritional and health benefits. Their botanical name is prunus domestica, and they are oval in shape. Prunes are used to prepare a number of desserts and sweet recipes and are not consumed raw.
How many calories in prunes is a question often asked. A single prune contains approximately 20 calories. A cupful of pitted prunes contain around 408 prunes, whereas the calories in prunes with their pits are around 60. The calorie count for prunes in a serving of approximately 100 grams is about 240. Prunes contain a number of essential nutrients including dietary fiber, vitamin, and minerals. They are low on saturated fats and cholesterol. They also contain a number of antioxidants. A hundred grams serving of prunes contain vitamin A – 1890 units (international), protein – 2.3 g, thiamine – 10 mg, carbohydrates – 71 g, riboflavin – 16 mg, fats – 6 g, niacin – 1.7 mg, potassium – 810 mg, vitamin C – 3 mg, phosphorus – 85 mg, iron – 7 mg, and calcium – 11 mg. There are 100 calories in sunsweet prunes (one serving). One can see that the nutrition from prunes is quite high, and the ensuing health benefits are many.
Prunes, as mentioned earlier, have a sweet taste. They have a texture very similar to that of raisins but are just a bit softer as compared to raisins. Those who do not like eating prunes can try prune juice, which is prepared from prunes that are reconstituted. This juice tastes slightly like grapefruit, but it is usually sweeter. Prunes can be used in the preparation of both savory and sweet dishes. As prunes are very dry, soaking them in a bowl of hot water before cooking is a good idea, as it will help cut down on the cooking time. Soaked or stewed prunes on top of waffles and pancakes add to the flavor.
Prunes offer a number of health benefits such as the following:
• Prunes are good for constipation as they contain plenty of fibers as well as sorbitol, a sugar that helps loosen stool.
• They are beneficial in anemia cases.
• Prunes are good to increase one’s vitality.
• Prunes are an excellent remedy for a sore throat.
• Prunes have a very high content of betacarotene and help prevent cancer.