Plums (Damsons)

🍑 What Are Damson Plums?
Damson plums are small, tart stone fruits with deep purple skin and dense, flavorful flesh. Their rich, tangy taste makes them especially popular for jams, preserves, sauces, and baked desserts.

🤔 Why Might a Sensitivity to Damson Plums Occur?

A sensitivity to damson plums may be connected to:

• Sorbitol: A naturally occurring sugar alcohol that can cause digestive discomfort in sensitive individuals.

• Fructose: Damson plums contain natural fruit sugars that may affect those with fructose malabsorption.

• Salicylates: Plant-based compounds found in the skin and flesh that may provoke reactions in susceptible individuals.

🛠️ Supportive Lifestyle Choices

• Avoid damson plums and plum-based foods for 8 weeks.

• Slowly reintroduce afterward to assess your tolerance.

• Track symptoms to evaluate whether sensitivity improves during avoidance.

💊 Supportive General Supplements

• Digestive enzymes: Support the breakdown of natural sugars such as sorbitol and fructose.

• Probiotics: Help maintain gut balance and overall digestive wellness.

• Turmeric & Quercetin: Provide general support for managing inflammatory and sensitivity responses.

🌟 Why Might I React to Damson Plums but Not Other Fruits?

Possible reasons include:

• Higher sorbitol content: Damson plums contain more sorbitol than fruits like apples or pears.

• Fructose levels: Plums may have more fructose compared to low-sugar fruits such as berries.

• Salicylate concentration: Damson plums contain salicylates that may be less prominent in milder fruits like bananas.

🍽️ Popular Dishes with Damson Plums

• Damson plum jam

• Plum tarts

• Damson-infused sauces

• Stewed plum desserts

🍽️ Alternatives (if tolerated)

• Apricots

• Peaches

• Cherries

• Berries