7 Health Benefits of Plums

About the Kakadu Plum 

Australia has some of the oldest known foods growing in its soils and Indigenous Australians have long known about the benefits of our native ingredients.

The Kakadu plum is a fruit that has been wild harvested by First Nations people for tens of thousands of years. The Kakadu plum is safe to say Australia's very own superfood.

Kabinyn. Madoor. Kerewey. Murunga. Gubinge. The many Indigenous language terms for the native fruit, most commonly known as the Kakadu Plum in English, or alternatively billy goat plum or green plum, reflect the epic spread of its wild-growing trees, stretching from the Dampier Peninsula in Western Australia along the Northern Territory.

There may be steadily growing interest in Australian native ingredients, but the tart, green Kakadu plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana) has seen particular attention thanks to its crowning as one of the world's most potent natural sources of vitamin C. To fight off the common cold, many will reach for an immune boost by way of oranges; the size of a walnut, the Kakadu plum boasts 100 times more vitamin C than that humble citrus.

From December to February in northern Western Australia and from March to May in the Northern Territory the Kakadu plum fruit are available to pick. At those harvest times, men, women and families come together to share and experience traditional culture as they harvest the Kakadu plum. Traditional practice of foraging, gathering, and family collection all while being on the land, assessing the land and experiencing traditional bush tucker.

Kakadu Plum Consumption - A History

It started with the fresh plum - the effects of eating plums - Kakadu plum helps build immunity

Traditionally, whilst the leaves and inner bark from the Kakadu plum tree would be boiled in hot water as a bush tea to relax and help the digestive system, the Kakadu plum fruit was eaten whole. The Kakadu plum consists of the flesh of the fruit and the plums also contain seeds. Australian Aboriginals would consume plums and their seeds raw as they recognised the Kakadu plum can help fight off a cold. Whilst they enjoyed the benefits of eating plums they also could experience the negative short-term effects of consumption of plum if the consumption of fresh plum was excessive, as rapid consumption could lead to a stomach ache or have a laxative effect similar to prune juice - definitely no constipation!

Kakadu plum - Uses of Plum - freeze dried plum

Kakadu plum is now used as a natural health powder, ensuring plums are available all year round. Freeze dried plum is used as an ingredient in smoothies, or for plum juice, plum puree, sauces and jams and freeze dried plums are also used as a topping to other foods like soups or salads. Kakadu plums are a good source for the beauty industry which use Kakadu plum extract for body lotions and hand creams.

Nutrition facts, serious health plum benefits, health effects of plum & plum nutrition, potential uses of plum - the effects of eating plums

Kakadu Plums - 7 Health Benefits of Plums

There are a range of health benefits of eating plums, plums can improve bone health, heart health, anti-inflammatory, increase antioxidants etc. Bush tea is better for digestive health. Here are our favourite plum benefits and nutrition facts:

1. The Kakadu plum contains the highest recorded natural amount of vitamin C of any food in the world. Vitamin C, naturally found in plums is a powerful antioxidant that boosts the immunity system, reduces oxidant stress, and may play a role in collagen synthesis, iron absorption, heart health, heart-protective effects, memory and cognition.

2. Kakadu plums are packed with antioxidants. Kakadu plums include 6 times the amount of polyphenols and 13.3 times more antioxidant activity than blueberries. It is significant that Kakadu plums are rich in natural antioxidants as free radicals cause oxidative stress in the body, which can lead to cell damage. Oxidative stress can increase the risk of developing health conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Antioxidants are thought to provide several heart-protecting benefits, including reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Edith Cowen University is researching whether the extract of plum antioxidants from Kakadu plums may have protective effects and help combat cell disease associated with Alzheimers.

3. Kakadu plums may improve and have positive effects on bone and improve bone health and protect against inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Studies have shown an anti-inflammatory diet may have positive anti-inflammatory effects on bone and reduce the risk of bone loss and loss of bone density in some postmenopausal women.

4. Kakadu Plums may also be considered an antioxidant powerhouse. And being packed with so many antioxidants, Kakadu plums are essentially the skincare and beauty industry’s new best friend.

5. Antibacterial properties. Kakadu plums also has strong links to being able to help reduce food-borne illnesses.

6. Kakadu Plums are high in dietary fiber. Fiber rich foods can fill you up. It is known that increasing your dietary fiber intake can help with weight loss and maintenance and may help reduce cholesterol levels.

7. Kakadu plums are native to Australia and are wild harvested, meaning clean, no chemicals, or artificial substances which is better for the environment and natural biodiversity.

Risks and Side Effects

There are currently no reports of any negative side effects, but like any consumed food, if you experience an unpleasant reaction to any herbs or fruits like plums, or might be allergic to plum, stop consumption or use immediately.

Breakfast at home with Kakadu plum - add plums to your morning routine, try using plum daily and enjoy the positive effects of plum power.

There is nothing more comforting than a bowl of muesli in the morning. Muesli is a cereal made with a base of rolled oats and a mix of ingredients like nuts, seeds, dried nuts, and of course add plums - Kakadu plum. We like plums and prunes on top. Unlike granola, it is untoasted and often has less sugar, making its composition and health effects a great alternative.