Rich in fiber, red plums are a curious blend of sweet, sour and juicy. They are commonly eaten fresh or, when dried, as prunes. Fresh plums are easily found in supermarkets and are frequently inexpensive, especially when in season.

So-called red plums actually range in color from pale red to a dark purple, with the color of their flesh varying from plum to plum. However, they all have a stronger red tint than yellow-fleshed plums, and the redder the flesh, the more nutritional benefits the plums have. In a 2004 issue of “HortScience,” researchers found that plums with red-colored flesh contained more anthocyanins -- a natural pigment and antioxidant that helps protect your body’s cells from damage from the free radicals that can speed up the aging process -- than did fruit with lighter pigments.

Red plums could potentially help lower your risk of becoming obese or developing Type 2 diabetes or heart problems. In a 2012 publication of “AgriLife TODAY,” Luis Cisneros-Zevallos, AgriLife Research food scientist, found that the phenolic compounds in red plums reduced the effects of low-density lipoprotein in the body. The compounds reduced the chances of developing plaque along the arterial walls, thus lowering the chances of developing hardened arteries and heart disease. Like with anthocyanins, red-flesh plums have a higher phenolic concentration than their yellow-fleshed counterparts.

Red plums are a low-calorie source of dietary fiber. With no fat or cholesterol, a single plum has only 30 calories, 6.5 grams of sugar, 0.5 gram of protein and 1 gram of dietary fiber. While this provides between only 2 and 4 percent of the dietary reference intake of dietary fiber for men and women, proportionally, red plums are a good source of natural fiber. A diet high in fiber can reduce your chance of developing colon disease and diabetes and can potentially help lower your blood cholesterol levels.

While red plums only contain small amounts of vitamins and minerals -- less than 10 percent per serving of single plum -- they are still rich in a range of nutrients. With more than 100 milligrams of potassium per plum and trace amounts of zinc, red plums provide you with two essential minerals. Potassium helps regulate your heart’s electrical activity and maintain the acid-base balance. Zinc helps your body’s immune system, and you need it to be able to smell and taste. Red plums are also rich in vitamin A and members of the B-vitamin complex. Vitamin A keeps your eyes healthy, while the B vitamins help your body break down carbohydrates into usable energy. B vitamins also aid in the formation of red blood cells.