What specific compounds in prunes contribute to antioxidant capacity, helping mitigate oxidative stress in cells?
Answer
Phenolic compounds
The health benefits associated with prunes are significantly driven by their phenolic compounds, which constitute a major component of the fruit's nutritional profile. These compounds are directly responsible for contributing to the fruit's overall antioxidant capacity. Antioxidants are essential because the liver, being central to metabolic processes, constantly produces free radicals as byproducts of its work. The presence of dietary antioxidants helps support the body's inherent defense mechanisms, specifically by mitigating the oxidative stress that can lead to cellular damage in various tissues, including the liver itself. This protective role is distinct from the mechanical action of fiber.

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