Rich in Vitamin C
Hog plums are rich in vitamin C, which, in addition to being an essential vitamin, is a natural antioxidant, protecting your body from damage caused by free radicals, potentially reducing your risk of heart disease. A 100-gram portion of hog plums has around 46 milligrams of vitamin C per serving. This provides 51 to 61 percent of the daily intake needed each day. Vitamin C gives support to your immune system, and it helps with the production of collagen, which keeps your skin, ligaments, tendons and cartilage healthy.
Rich in Iron
A 100-gram serving of hog plums has 2.8 milligrams of iron. This provides 15 to 35 percent of the recommended intake of iron per day. Iron is essential for overall health and body function because it is needed to produce hemoglobin and myoglobin, both of which carry oxygen throughout your body. Hemoglobin is stored in red blood cells, so having enough iron in your diet is key for red blood cell production.
Protects Against Heart Disease
A 2010 issue of “Cardiovascular Toxicology” included a study on the antioxidant content and effectiveness of hog plums in rat hearts. Researchers found that hog plums were naturally high in antioxidants, which they compared to the heart medication, ramipril. The study found that hog plums reduced overall cholesterol levels and that their effect on heart health was comparable to that of ramipril. The conclusion was that hog plums may be beneficial for overall heart health, but research in humans is needed.
Eating Hog Plums
Hog plums are commonly eaten raw in the Caribbean and in Asia, where the fruits grow naturally. Hog plums are related to mangos and have a sweet sour taste, depending on ripeness. The fruits can be eaten raw and whole as a snack, but they are commonly made into fresh juices, or used to produce ice cream, jams and jellies. In Mexico, unripe hog plums are pickled to make a sour-spicy side dish.
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