Foods That Will Help You Live Longer: Umeboshi Plums

It's truly a shame that Japan is going through such a devastating time right now, especially since it is one of the healthiest countries on the planet. Many of the most nutritious foods and dishes come from Japan, and with all of the radioactive concerns it's the best time to be eating them. Today you will learn about a popular, super healthy food from Japan that doesn't get enough credit in the US - umeboshi plums.

Umeboshi plums (technically apricots) are traditional Japanese pickles used in many traditional dishes like porridge, sushi, rice balls, salad dressings and beverages. They are commonly pickled with red shiso leaves and sea salt, which give them a salty, tart and sour taste.

Umeboshi plums are a super alkaline food and they have many healing properties, such as:

• aid in the digestive process
• combat fatigue
• promote the elimination of toxins
• reduce inflammation (recommended for arthritis)
• fight off bacterial and viral infections
• assist with discharge problems (runny nose, diarrhea, vomiting, etc.)
• support liver function
• cure food poisoning
• hangover and morning-sickness remedy
• anti-aging properties

Here's a tasty way to introduce yourself to umeboshi plums: take the plum off the pit and mix it in with cooked rice, miso, sesame seeds, and dulse. This will result in a savory, hearty snack that will leave you feeling quite satisfied and energized. 

There's one downside to umeboshi plums - there are quite expensive, usually about $15 for 7 oz. However, if you use them sparingly in times when you crave them or need them for healing, they are well worth the cost and will go a long way. You can purchase them in the Asian or exotic food section of most grocery stores.

Whitney Lauritsen is a filmmaker, environmentalist, and vegan who promotes healthy living on her site www.ecovegangal.com. She shares tips on how to be kind to your body and the earth via video, photography, and writing. You can find her talking about being healthy and green on Twitter and Facebook