Umeboshi Plums - Liver Cleanser and Cancer Fighter

Sour, salty and chockfull of health benefits, umeboshi plums Japanese cuisine

Sour, salty and chockfull of health benefits, umeboshi plums have been a staple in Japanese cuisine for centuries. Also known as the “sour plum,” “Japanese apricot” and “Japanese plum,” the umeboshi plum is made from dried and pickled ume fruit, a type of fruit closely related to the apricot. Umeboshi are round and wrinkled with a distinctly sour taste thanks to their high content of citric acid. In fact, ume fruit are harvested at the end of June, right when their juice has reached peak acidity. Because of their intense flavor, umeboshi is typically combined with white rice and consumed as a side dish or inside a rice ball. Umeboshi paste and umeboshi vinegar are also available for an easy way to spice up any dish. In terms of nutrition, umeboshi contains a good chunk of the potassium, manganese and fiber you need in a day. Plus, it’s low in calories, giving you the most nutrition bang for your buck.

Protects the Liver

Umeboshi has some potent properties that could help protect the liver. The liver plays a vital role in detoxification, fat metabolism and the production of important proteins used for blood clotting, so it’s critical to keep it functioning efficiently. Liver damage can be caused by a multitude of factors like infection, excessive alcohol consumption and even obesity. Some research has found that including umeboshi in your diet could help preserve the function of the liver. A 2012 study in the World Journal of Gastroenterology followed 58 patients with liver disease and found that supplementing with ume fruit extract actually decreased liver damage. This means that umeboshi plums could potentially aid in the treatment and prevention of liver disorders that affect millions of individuals worldwide, such as cirrhosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatitis.

Helps Block Cancer Growth

Umeboshi contains some powerful compounds that may be beneficial in the prevention and natural treatment of cancer. A 2007 study treated liver cancer cells with an extract from ume fruit and found that the ume fruit extract managed to stop the growth of cancer cells. Another study published in Tumori treated pancreatic cancer cells with an extract from ume fruit and also noted that it successfully stopped cancer growth. Furthermore, the ume fruit extract managed to kill off cancer cells while sparing the normal, healthy cells.

High in Antioxidants

From a poor diet to factors like stress, smoking and pollution, there are many ways that free radicals can form in the body. These highly unstable molecules cause oxidative damage that can contribute to the development of chronic disease. Antioxidants are substances that neutralize dangerous free radicals to help prevent damage to cells.

Prevents Oral Disease

Some research has found that ume fruit possesses natural anti-bacterial properties and could help block the growth of harmful bacteria that cause disease. Because of this, ume fruit and umeboshi may even be able to enhance oral health and prevent the formation of cavities.

Umbeboshi Plum Tea

Serves: 1 INGREDIENTS: 1 cup kukicha tea 1 umeboshi plum, pitted and shredded 2 –3 drops coconut aminos 1 slice fresh ginger DIRECTIONS: Bring kukicha tea to a boil and then remove from heat. Stir in umeboshi plum, soy sauce and fresh ginger. Steep for 2 minutes before serving and then enjoy.

Side Effects

Although there are no known negative side effects of umeboshi plums, you should discontinue consumption immediately if you experience an allergic reaction or any negative symptoms after eating umeboshi plums.

Final Thoughts

Umeboshi plums may be tiny, but they pack a powerful punch when it comes to nutrition. With a long list of health benefits ranging from protecting the liver to strengthening the bones, incorporating this pickled fruit into your diet just a few times per week has the potential to make a big difference in your health.