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If you have a bottle of plum and prune extracts, on one hand, it might be hard to choose which one is plum juice or prune juice. However, we have spent countless hours putting this article together and ensuring you can tell them apart and understand each better.
The Differences
The difference between plum and prune juice is that while plum is made from fresh plums, prune is made from dried plums. Since the plums are dry, to make the dry extract, prunes are rehydrated in water before juicing.
You may then ask, what is a prune? It is any plum that is specifically grown to be dried. Prune extract is made from dried plum and not fresh ones, hence the name. While most prune sauce cartons will say, “Prune juice – water extract from dried prunes” others will say, “made from fresh prunes.” They both mean the same, only that one is made from a different variety but will have the same distinct extract taste.
Health Benefits
The extracts have similar beginnings and are only separated at the juicing process. These separations result in different health benefits;
Health Benefits of Plum Extract
- Helps prevent heart attacks/strokes. Plums contain phenols that prevent heart attack, stroke, and hypertension when consumed.
- Aids in weight loss due to antioxidants in plum extract.
- Vitamin A is good for eye health.
- Reduces the risk for age-related macular degeneration, thanks to Vitamin A.
- Healthy for pregnant women. They obtain vitamins necessary for bone development, cell division, and tissue development during pregnancy.
Health Benefits of Prune Extract
According to Medicalnewstoday, the extract can prevent constipation as well as prevent colon cancer. The nutrients may also help control obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Some additional nutrients and health benefits you can expect include:
- Iron, which helps prevent anemia.
- Potassium, useful for controlling blood pressure.
- Sugars combined with soluble fiber provides sustained energy.
- Phenolic compounds that help the body to combat and preventing chronic diseases.
- Contains boron, which helps in preventing osteoporosis.
The Ingredient Differences
If you are unable to differentiate prune juice vs plum juice up to this point, read on as we guide you through the two.
Nutrients, Antioxidants & Sugar Level
Plum juice is made from fresh plums; hence contains a lot of nutrients, antioxidants, and vitamins. On the other hand, Prune has a high concentration of Vitamin A and K as well as potassium and iron. This is because the juicing process destroys some vitamins like C and concentrates on other nutrients.
The plum extract has a lot of vitamins A, C, K and B, riboflavin, potassium, iron, calcium, and thiamine.
Here is a summary of nutrients:
| Fresh Extract | Dry Extract |
| Calories: 30 | Calories: 67 |
| Carbs: 8 grams | Carbs: 18 grams |
| Fiber: 1 gram | Fiber: 2 grams |
| Sugars: 7 grams | Sugars: 11 grams |
| Vitamin A: 5% of the RDI | Vitamin A: 4% of the RDI |
| Vitamin C: 10% of the RDI | Vitamin K: 21% of the RDI |
| Vitamin K: 5% of the RDI | Vitamin B2: 3% of the RDI |
| Potassium: 3% of the RDI | Vitamin B3: 3% of the RDI |
| Copper: 2% of the RDI | Vitamin B6: 3% of the RDI |
| Manganese: 2% of the RDI | Potassium: 6% of the RDI |
| Copper: 4% of the RDI | |
| Manganese: 4% of the RDI | |
| Magnesium: 3% of the RDI | |
| Phosphorus: 2% of the RDI |
The Laxative Effect
The dry extract has the biggest reputation when it comes to the prune juice vs plum juice debate on their laxative functions. They both, however, will help you with constipation as they contain sorbitol. The main difference, though, is that the dried extract has higher fiber content and will help out your digestive system more effectively. If you are having tummy troubles, go for the dried option. Prune juice benefits on digestion have been tried and tested and supported by many plum juice vs prune reviews.
Taste and Texture
Due to a difference in production methods, the extracts have different tastes. Prune juice is sweeter, while plum juice has a tangy-sweet taste and natural sugar content, just like other fresh fruit extracts. You can improve on the taste by adding other sweeteners as per your taste.
The dried extract has a denser texture than the fresh extract, thanks to the high fiber content.
The Drying Process
The drying process is what separates the health benefits of prune juice and plum juice. It destroys the naturally occurring Vitamin C but preserves other vitamins like A, B6, E, and K. This ensures there is some nutritional value to be found in the dried version.
Once the dried fruits are rehydrated, they disintegrate a little and are then extracted using a masticating juicer. The extract is then filtered and reduced down to a concentrate ready for drinking. These two take the medal for the best juicer for making your extracts at home.
Common Questions and Answers
Still, you do not have a good grasp of the difference between plum and prune juice? Here are some frequently asked questions.
Is it Advisable to Drink the Extracts Every Day?
Yes, you can. There is no health problem associated with a daily intake of these extracts. The dried version hydrates your body as well as provide it with a host of other benefits.
Is Dried Extract Good for Detox?
Yes. Due to abundant fiber and Vitamin A, and natural laxative that helps in digestion and constipation, it is highly recommended to detox. It boosts the digestive system and cleanses the bowels.
In case you have a daily detox routine, we recommend adding the extract to it as it helps cleanse lymphatic and bowel systems.
Wrap Up
While many people find it hard to tell the two apart, there is a clear difference between prune juice and plum juice. It only takes a keen and expert eye to tell them apart, and we have given you sufficient guidance on that here. So, is it going to be prune juice or plum juice? Go ahead and pick your favorite, buy the best centrifugal juicers, and leave us any comment or question in our contact box.
