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Nutrition and daily life

Plum — fruit card: alcha, plums and prunes

Plums, sour alcha, prunes and alcha lavashana are the basis of the sweet-and-sour taste in Azerbaijani cooking. This card explains how to eat plums during treatment and their role in constipation.

Last updated: ~1 min read
Purple plums and yellow alcha on a dark board.
Figure 1.Plums and alcha — Plum — fruit card: alcha, plums and prunes

01Short answer

Plums provide fibre, sorbitol, potassium and polyphenols. Prunes are one of the best-studied foods for constipation, but avoid them with diarrhoea. The thin skin is not peeled, so during neutropenia wash plums well or eat them in compote. Avoid loose market lavashana and pickles; cooked alcha sauce is safe.

02Simple explanation

Plums: fibre and sorbitol.

Prunes: for constipation.

With diarrhoea: no.

Lavashana: sealed packs.

03Scientific explanation

Studies: prunes may work as well as or better than fibre supplements for constipation, as they contain both fibre and sorbitol.

WHO: at least 400 g of fruit and vegetables a day is recommended; during treatment the amount may vary with appetite and your doctor’s advice.

FDA: wash produce under running water before cutting or peeling, because a knife can carry germs from the skin into the flesh.

04What happens in the body?

Constipation

A few prunes or prune compote with enough fluid; for medicine-related constipation, follow your doctor’s plan.

A sealed pack of prunes and compote.
Figure 2.Prunes and compote — Plum — fruit card: alcha, plums and prunes

Lavashana and pickles

During neutropenia no loose lavashana; choose factory packs or alcha cooked in a hot dish.

Alcha sauce thickening in a pot.
Figure 3.Cooked alcha sauce — Plum — fruit card: alcha, plums and prunes

Washing and peeling

Wash your hands, rub the fruit under running water, dry it with a clean towel, then peel or cut it. Soap or bleach solutions are not needed.

Cut fruit

Keep cut fruit in the fridge and eat it within 1 day; do not leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

05Fruit: four steps

Whole fruit, swap bruised, wash and peel, eat cut fruit soon.

Whole fruit — No spots.1Whole fruitNo spots.
Not bruised — Fresh and whole.2Not bruisedFresh and whole.
Wash and peel — Running water.3Wash and peelRunning water.
Eat soon — Fridge, 1 day.4Eat soonFridge, 1 day.
VitaminsA natural source.
FibreFor the gut.
SafetyWashing.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
ConstipationA few prunes or prune compote with enough fluid; for medicine-related constipation, follow your doctor’s plan.
Lavashana and picklesDuring neutropenia no loose lavashana; choose factory packs or alcha cooked in a hot dish.
Washing and peelingWash your hands, rub the fruit under running water, dry it with a clean towel, then peel or cut it. Soap or bleach solutions are not needed.
Cut fruitKeep cut fruit in the fridge and eat it within 1 day; do not leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

07Key terms

Sorbitol
A sugar alcohol that draws water into the gut.
Lavashana
A dried sheet of fruit purée.
Neutropenia
Low neutrophils, raising infection risk.
Potassium
A mineral for the heart and muscles.
Fibre
The part of plants that helps the gut work.

08Key points

  • May help constipation.
  • No plums with diarrhoea.
  • Avoid loose lavashana.
  • Wash under running water.
  • Eat cut fruit soon.

09Frequently asked questions

Do prunes help opioid constipation?

A little, perhaps, but a prescribed laxative is often needed.

Is alcha sauce allowed?

Yes, cooked and in a hot dish.

Does this fruit treat leukemia?

No. It is a pleasant part of eating, not a treatment.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Do prunes help opioid constipation?

  2. Is alcha sauce allowed?

  3. Does this fruit treat leukemia?

My questions

12Sources

  1. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Diet Guidelines for Immunosuppressed Patients
  2. U.S. FDA. Selecting and Serving Produce Safely
  3. NHS. 5 A Day: what counts?
  4. National Cancer Institute. Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
  5. USDA. FoodData Central
  6. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Nausea and Vomiting Related to Cancer Treatment (PDQ®) – Patient Version
  7. American Cancer Society. Nausea and Vomiting
  8. American Cancer Society. Poor Appetite
  9. American Cancer Society. Taste and Smell Changes
  10. Cancer.Net (ASCO). Nausea and Vomiting
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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