New research carried out at the Volcani Center in Israel has found that red-skinned plums contain higher levels of antioxidants than any other deciduous fruit grown in the country.
The study revealed that red plums contain a level of antioxidants three times higher than that of pomegranates, and five times higher than those of apples, bananas or red wine.
The scientists examined a new variety of plum called Red Heart, developed by Israeli stonefruit breeder Sefi Ben Dor, which exports product to the UK and has recently established production sites in the southern hemisphere.
The research was led by Professor Joseph Kanner from the centre’s department of food sciences, who gained notoriety in the 1990s when he stated that one glass of red wine a day is good for your health.
