Nutritional Composition of Davidson’s Plum
Among Australia’s native fruits, Davidson’s plum stands out as a nutritional powerhouse packed with remarkable levels of bioactive compounds that support human health.
| Nutrient/Compound | Amount per 100 g DW | % Daily Value (DV)* |
| Vitamin C (ascorbic acid equivalents) | 56.9 mg. | 63% |
| Gallic Acid | 45.1 mg. | — |
| Rutin | 22.3 mg. | — |
| Catechin | 3.2 mg. | — |
| Cyanidin-3-Glucoside | 2.0 mg. | — |
* Daily Values based on a 2,000-calorie diet; individual needs may vary.
Source: (1)
Science-Backed Health Benefits of Davidson’s Plum (Davidsonia spp.)
This fruit contains impressive concentrations of anthocyanins, including cyanidin and peonidin glucosides. (2) Research shows these powerful antioxidants work alongside quercetin and rutin glycosides to support cellular energy production and reduce oxidative stress that contributes to feelings of exhaustion. (3) The fruit’s rich vitamin C content, plays a crucial role in supporting the body’s energy metabolism pathways. (4) Additionally, Davidson’s Plum provides essential B vitamins, particularly folic acid, which are vital for converting food into usable energy at the cellular level. (1) The phenolic compounds, including gallic acid and ellagic acid, help protect mitochondria from damage, ensuring optimal energy production while reducing inflammation that can contribute to chronic fatigue. (5) (6) These natural compounds work together to support sustained energy levels throughout the day.
2. Reduces Aches and Pains in Your Body
This dark red fruit is packed with powerful bioactive compounds, including anthocyanins such as cyanidin and peonidin glucosides, rutin and quercetin glycosides these compounds known for their pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. The fruit’s rich phenolic content, including flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, and anthocyanidins, works together to combat inflammation at the cellular level. Research demonstrates that Davidson’s plum effectively reduces inflammatory cell infiltration in vital organs and decreases harmful collagen buildup that contributes to stiffness and discomfort. The fruit’s high antioxidant capacity, particularly when extracted with ethanol, maximizes the availability of these beneficial compounds. Most notably, studies show Davidson’s plum can help prevent cartilage degeneration, particularly in knee joints, suggesting its potential for reducing joint-related aches and pains that commonly affect people as they age. (2) (7)
3. Keeps Your Heart Healthy and Strong
Research demonstrates that Davidson’s plum effectively normalizes blood pressure and reduces left ventricular stiffness, helping maintain optimal heart muscle flexibility. The fruit’s impressive antioxidant profile, containing 1.5 times more total phenolic compounds than blueberries, along with substantial vitamin C content, provides comprehensive cardiovascular protection. Additionally, Davidson’s plum significantly decreases inflammatory cell infiltration in the left ventricle and reduces harmful collagen buildup in heart tissue, promoting better cardiac health. (8) The fruit also improves blood lipid profiles by lowering plasma triglycerides and non-esterified fatty acids, key factors in maintaining cardiovascular wellness. With rutin and quercetin glycosides adding to its therapeutic potential, Davidson’s plum emerges as a natural helper for long-term heart health. (9)
4. Improves Digestion
Davidson’s plum stands out as a novel source of ellagitannins and ellagic acid, compounds that effectively inhibit key digestive enzymes involved in metabolic processes. Research shows this fruit demonstrates superior activity against α-glucosidase, an enzyme responsible for breaking down carbohydrates, making it beneficial for managing blood sugar responses after meals. (10) The fruit also contains significant amounts of flavonoids including myricetin, quercetin, and rutin, along with polyphenolic compounds like gallic acid and epicatechin. These bioactive substances work synergistically to support liver function and improve fat metabolism by reducing plasma triglycerides and fatty acids. With total phenolic compounds 1.5 times higher than blueberries, Davidson’s plum offers comprehensive digestive support through its unique combination of antioxidants and enzyme-modulating compounds. (11) (10) (12)
5. Makes Your Skin Look Younger
This Australian native fruit contains remarkably high concentrations of anthocyanins, including cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, delphinidin-3-glucoside, and peonidin-3-glucoside, which are potent antioxidants known for protecting skin cells from damage caused by free radicals. (13) (26) The fruit’s impressive phenolic profile includes powerful flavonoids like quercetin and rutin, along with ellagic acid and gallic acid, which work together to combat oxidative stress that accelerates skin aging. (15) (16) Research demonstrates that Davidson’s plum exhibits superior antioxidant capacity compared to many conventional fruits, with exceptionally high DPPH radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power. Additionally, the fruit contains significant amounts of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and proanthocyanidins, compounds that support collagen production and skin elasticity. (27) (18) These bioactive compounds work synergistically to neutralize harmful free radicals, reduce inflammation, and protect against environmental damage that leads to premature aging, fine lines, and wrinkles.
6. Helps You Lose Weight
Research demonstrates that this indigenous fruit effectively reduces visceral fat accumulation, total abdominal fat weight, and the size of fat cells when consumed regularly. (28) The fruit’s weight-loss properties stem from its exceptional anthocyanin content, particularly cyanidin and peonidin compounds present as glucosides and sambubiosides, which work alongside quercetin glycosides and rutin to combat metabolic dysfunction. (28) These powerful antioxidants help normalize blood pressure, reduce harmful blood fats like triglycerides and non-esterified fatty acids, and decrease inflammation throughout the body. Additionally, Davidson’s plum contains significant levels of gallic acid, a phenolic compound that supports the fruit’s metabolic benefits. (20) The fruit’s high vitamin C content and superior antioxidant capacity compared to common berries make it an excellent natural choice for those seeking to manage their weight while supporting overall health and reducing the risk of obesity-related complications.
7. Makes Your Bones and Teeth Stronger
This purple fruit contains an impressive concentration of Anthocyanins, cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin sambubioside, peonidin glucoside, and quercetin glycosides work together to reduce cartilage degeneration and provide anti-inflammatory benefits for your joints. Research demonstrates that Davidson’s plum effectively reduces obesity-induced damage to knee cartilage and provides anti-osteoarthritic effects, helping maintain healthy bone structure. The fruit’s rich polyphenol content creates synergistic anti-inflammatory actions that support overall skeletal health. (21) By addressing metabolic syndrome a major risk factor for osteoarthritis Davidson’s plum helps preserve bone density and joint function naturally.
8. Protect You from Getting Cancer
Davidson’s plum emerges as a powerful natural ally in the fight against cancer through its exceptional concentration of disease-fighting compounds. This remarkable fruit contains potent phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and anthocyanidins including delphinidin sambubioside, cyanidin sambubioside, petunidin sambubioside, and peonidin sambubioside that work together to combat cancer development. Research demonstrates that Davidson’s plum extracts effectively slow the growth of various cancer types including pancreatic, breast, lung, brain, skin, colon, and ovarian cancers by disrupting cancer cell multiplication. (22) The fruit’s ellagic acid and hydroxycinnamic acids trigger apoptosis, a natural process that eliminates damaged cells before they become cancerous, while also activating caspase-3 enzymes that help destroy existing cancer cells. Studies show Davidson’s plum performs comparably to blueberries in fighting cancer, particularly against colon and liver cancers, while its proanthocyanidins provide additional cellular protection. (23) These bioactive compounds work synergistically to create a comprehensive defense system that not only prevents cancer development but also targets existing cancer cells for elimination.
9. Protects Your Eyes
The Compound Lutein found in Davidson plums which is vibrant red color and serves as a natural shield to Plum. Which also protect human eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays that can cause long-term damage. The fruit’s vitamin E content works alongside these carotenoids to prevent harmful free radicals from breaking down eye cells, providing additional protection against oxidative damage that can compromise vision over time. Together, these powerful antioxidants create a comprehensive defense system that helps maintain healthy eyes and supports optimal visual function throughout life. (24)
Culinary and Practical Uses of Davidson’s Plum
Davidson’s plum (Davidsonia pruriens and D. jerseyana), an Australian native fruit, offers remarkable versatility in culinary applications due to its distinctive tart, mouth-puckering flavor and impressive nutritional profile. Research demonstrates that this vibrant purple fruit serves multiple practical functions in both traditional and modern food preparation methods.
The fruit excels in preserved food applications, particularly in jams, sauces, and chutneys, where its natural pectin content ensures reliable setting without additional gelling agents. Studies show Davidson’s plum contains high levels of anthocyanins (98.6 mg C3G/g DW for D. jerseyana), making it valuable as a natural food colorant that provides vibrant red to purple hues in processed foods. The freeze-dried powder form offers exceptional culinary flexibility, functioning effectively in baking applications, smoothies, dessert garnishes, and marinades for seafood and meats. Research has demonstrated its antimicrobial properties as a natural preservative in raw processed meat products, extending shelf life while maintaining food safety standards. Additionally, Davidson’s plum shows excellent performance in frozen dessert applications, with studies indicating that 5-10% incorporation levels in sorbets provide optimal sensory acceptance while delivering enhanced antioxidant properties.
Potential Side Effects and Considerations of Davidson’s Plum (Davidsonia spp.)
Despite extensive research into Davidson’s plum’s beneficial properties, the available scientific literature provides limited specific information about potential side effects or safety considerations for this Australian native fruit.
- The fruit’s naturally acidic properties, with extracts showing a pH of 2.8, suggest that excessive consumption might potentially cause digestive discomfort in sensitive individuals, though this is not explicitly documented in current research. (25)
- Sensory evaluations reveal that Davidson’s plum exhibits pronounced sourness and tartness, particularly at higher concentrations, which may limit palatability for some consumers. (5)
- The commercial processing studies demonstrate successful food product development without reporting adverse effects, suggesting general safety for consumption. (5)
- However, as with any food containing high levels of bioactive compounds like proanthocyanidins and anthocyanidins, individuals with specific sensitivities or those taking medications should consider consulting healthcare professionals before regular consumption.
Conclusion
Davidson’s plum, a vibrant native Australian fruit, stands out as a nutritional powerhouse rich in anthocyanins, vitamin C, phenolic compounds, and dietary fiber, with scientifically validated benefits ranging from enhanced energy and anti-inflammatory effects to cardiovascular support, digestive health, skin rejuvenation, weight management, cognitive protection, and bone strength. Its traditional use by Indigenous Australians as both food and medicine is now reinforced by modern research, highlighting its potent antioxidant and enzyme-modulating properties. Culinary applications from jams and sauces to functional powders and preservative agents underscore its versatility, while early safety data suggest general tolerability despite its acidity. As a natural, multifunctional superfruit, Davidson’s plum offers a compelling, science-backed approach to promoting overall health and wellness.
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