Nutrition Research

Antioxidants from prunes were isolated, identified and antioxidant activity assessed by the ORAC assay. The synergistic effect of a new chromanone on caffeoylquinic acid isomers is described.

Eighteen plum/prune preparations and byproducts were analyzed for proximate constituents and carbohydrate profiles. Plum puree and prune juice contained the highest concentrations of ash (13.0 and 13.8%, respectively). Crude protein (CP), acid-hydrolyzed fat (AHF), and total dietary fiber (TDF) concentrations were higher in byproducts (waste cake and dried plum pits) compared with the other fractions. Several classes of oligosaccharides were found in low concentrations in many of the substrates and were associated with the fruit rather than the pit. Maltooligosaccharides were found in very…

This systemic literature review summarizes the chemical composition of prunes and their biological effects on human health.

The effect of polyphenolics on antioxidant capacities of plums, the amounts of total phenolics, total flavonoids and individual phenolic compounds, and vitamin C equivalent antioxidant capacity (VCEAC) of 11 plum cultivars was determined.

This paper updates the 2001 review conducted by the same author and published in the same journal and describes the composition of the dried plums, prune juice and dried plum powder with attention to possibly bioactive compounds. There are several composition tables on nutrients, carbohydrates, carotenoids and antioxidant capacity as measured by various assays. The paper discusses potential health effects of various dried plum components and can serve as a resource for those seeking a summary of the existing research on dried plums.

Two varieties of prunes were dried by high and low temperatures and chemical parameters were monitored during storage. Temperature significantly affected the polyphenol content with different effects according to the class of polyphenols. Storage decreases polyphenol content (apart from chlorogenic acid) although the antioxidant capacity increases probably due to the formation of Maillard reaction products.

Four different conditions were used to analyze the phytochemicals in commercial dried plums. Major components were neochlorogenic acid and cryptochloroenic acid. Forty minor components were also characterized. The diagnostic fragmentation patterns of different phenolics are presented on the basis of electrospray ionization (ESI) MS/MS data of components in dried plums and 14 authentic standards.

Hydroxycinnamates are present in high concentration in prunes. Little is known about the absorption and metabolism of these compounds and their metabolites after consumption of normal foods. This study developed a sensitive method using HPLC with electrospray mass spectrometric detection to measure caffeic, ferulic and chlorogenic acids in human plasma and urine. The method was tested on samples from volunteers consuming a single dose of 100 grams of prunes, and increased levels were observed, demonstrating that the method is capable of detecting changes in hydroxycinnamate levels from…

Lipophilic and hydrophilic antioxidant capacities were determined by the ORACfl assay on more than 100 different kinds of foods. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was calculated by combining L-ORACfl and H-ORACfl. Total phenolics were also measured; 85 grams (½ cup) prunes has a TAC of 7,291/serving. (NOTE: This reference is used for the TAC value for dried plums, replacing the ORAC value as reported in the February 1999 issue of Agricultural Research, the USDA/ARS magazine).

Commercial prune and prune juice extracts were analyzed for phenolics by reverse phase HPCL with diode array detection and tested for ability to inhibit oxidation of human LDL. Hydroxycinnamates, especially neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acids predominated. These compounds as well as the prune and prune juice extracts inhibited the oxidation of LDL.

This study was undertaken to determine if the consumption of meals of blueberries, grapes, kiwifruit, strawberry, cherry and dried plums increased plasma antioxidant capacity (AOC) measured as Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORACfl); whether macronutrient composition of the meal alters postprandial changes in AOC; and whether preliminary recommendations can be developed for antioxidant intake. Results suggest that certain berries and fruits increased postprandial AOC. Plasma AOC did not change after a meal with dried plums or prune juice. The authors comment that chlorogenic acid or its…

Total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity of 11 cultivars of fresh plums were determined using spectrophotometric methods.

Prunes are known to show high antioxidant activity on the basis of the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and their major antioxidant components are caffeoylquinic acid isomers. The aim of this study is to prove the contribution of caffeoylquinic acid isomers to the ORAC of prunes, and to investigate the existence of other antioxidant components. Caffeoylquinic acid isomers in ethanol (EtOH) extracts of prunes were quantified by HPLC analysis, and the degree of contribution of these isomers to the ORAC was found to be 28.4%; hence, it was speculated that the remaining ORAC is…

The biological mechanisms of action of probiotics and prebiotics include direct effects in the intestinal lumen or on intestinal or immune cells, and indirect mechanisms through modulation of the endogenous microflora (composition or functions such as butyrate production) or of the immune system.

Lack of fiber may play an important role in the etiology of chronic idiopathic constipation in children.

High concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) are considered a marker for inflammatory disease based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2000, fiber intake is associated with lower serum CRP concentration thereby supporting the recommendation of a diet with a high fiber content.

Differences in microbial populations in the proximal and distal colon may impact apparent site-specific differences in pathology. Diet is known to alter metabolism and composition of colon microbiota, which has major implications for disease prevention and treatment. The hypothesis tested by this experiment was that consumption of dried plums would promote retention of beneficial microbiota and patterns of microbial metabolism throughout the colon, and that by doing so would reduce colon cancer incidence. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were provided either a control (CD, n=25) or plum diet (PD, 5%…

The study examined the effect of dried plums on the number of precancerous lesions (aberrant crypts, ACs), fecal bile acid concentration and fecal bacterial enzyme activities related to colon cancer risk. Dried plum powder was fed at a low concentration (LC 4.75 percent) and a high-concentration (HC 9.5 percent). Azoxymethane was administered to the rats two times, one week apart after the rats received either the experimental or control diets for 10 days. The rats continued to be fed their respective diets for nine weeks until terminated. Although the number of AC foci did not differ among…

A modest fiber intake in patients with irritable bowel syndrome relieved symptoms, but this therapeutic benefit of fiber may have been due to a placebo effect because the results were similar in the low-fiber group.

Morbidly obese patients experience more intense GI symptoms than control subjects and many of these symptoms return to control levels six months after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP).

This study investigated the effect of a preload including dried prunes eaten as a snack prior to a meal compared to a preload of an isoenergetic and equal weighed bread product.  Researchers investigated short-term effect on satiety measured by subsequent ad lib meal intake and reduced appetite for dessert after lunch; and assessed satiety by visual analogue scales (VAS).Participants in the randomized within-subject crossover study included 45 healthy, normal-weight subjects. Results indicated that when subjects consumed the preload that included dried prunes, they consumed less of the…

This controlled study involving 36 adults reporting chronic constipation symptoms, evaluated the effects of consuming a daily portion of plum juice (PlumSmart) prior to a meal for 14 days, compared with psyllium (Metamucil), a non-fruit source of fiber, and equicaloric, fiber-free clear apple juice as the placebo control.According to the results: Softer stools were associated with plum juice compared to apple juice alone and apple juice with Metamucil; Plum juice was as likely as psyllium to provide immediate relief (within 24 hours of first use) of constipation symptoms and both performed…

The study was undertaken to investigate whether prune juice affects gastrointestinal function in adults with certain gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Subjects were otherwise healthy but had certain GI symptoms not as severe as a disorder. The study was for 4 weeks; 1 week baseline, 2 weeks prune juice, and 1 week follow up. Subjects drank 125 mL prune juice twice a day during the prune juice period. Results indicate that prune juice reduced the occurrence of difficulty in defecation in these subjects and the effect continued to the follow-up week. The authors concluded that regularly ingested…

Although dried plums/prunes and prune juice have been traditionally used for the treatment of constipation, dried plums have not been systematically assessed in patients with well-defined constipation. This study investigated and compared the effects of dried plums and psyllium in patients with chronic constipation.Forty constipated subjects (m/f = 3/37, mean age = 38 y) participated in an 8-week, single-blind, randomized cross-over study. Participants received dried plums (50 g b.d, 6 gm fiber/d) or psyllium (11 g b.d., 6 gm fiber/d) for 3 weeks each, in a crossover trial with a 1-week…

Prebiotics are non-digestible but fermentable oligosaccharides that specifically change the composition and activity of the intestinal microflora to promote the health of the host. Dietary fiber and non-digestible oligosaccharides are the main growth substrates of intestinal microflora. In spite of the interesting nutritional properties of prebiotics, it is questionable whether a wholesome diet rich in fruit and vegetables needs to be supplemented with prebiotics for optimal health effects.

Osteoporosis is an age-related chronic disease characterized by a loss of bone mass and quality, and is associated with an increased risk of fragility fractures. Postmenopausal women are at the greatest risk of developing osteoporosis due to the cessation in ovarian hormone production, which causes accelerated bone loss. As the demographic shifts to a more aged population, a growing number of postmenopausal women will be afflicted with osteoporosis. Certain lifestyle factors, including nutrition and exercise, are known to reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis and therefore play an…

Elevate your bone health naturally with prunes —a delicious addition for long-term wellness, especially for women on oral contraceptives.

This study examined the extent to which dried plum reverses bone loss in osteopenic postmenopausal women. Participants were 1-10 years postmenopausal and not on hormone replacement therapy or other prescribed medication known to influence bone metabolism. Qualified participants (n 160) were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: dried plum (100g/d) or dried apple (comparative control). Participants also received 500 mg calcium and 400 IU vitamin D daily. Bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar spine, forearm, hip and whole body was assessed at baseline and at the end of the study…

Bone is progressively lost with advancing age. Therapies are limited and the only effective proanabolic regimen presently available to restore bone is intermittent treatment with teriparatide (parathyroid hormone 1-34). Recent evidence suggests that dietary supplementation with dried plum (DP) can prevent bone loss due to estrogen deficiency. To determine whether dietary DP supplementation can prevent the loss of bone with aging and whether bone that has already been lost can be restored, adult (6 mo) and old (18 mo) male mice were fed a normal diet or isoenergetic, isonitrogenous diets…

Building on previous work in which diets with dried plum (DP) were shown to increase bone volume and strength, the investigators studied DP in skeletally mature (6-month) and growing (1 and 2- month-old) C57Bl/6 male mice. In adult mice, DP rapidly increased bone volume (+32%) and trabecular thickness (+24%) within 2 weeks. These changes were associated with decreased osteoclast surface (OcS/BS) and decreased serum CTX, a marker of bone resorption. Osteoblast surface (Ob.S/BS) and bone formation rate were also decreased suggesting that bone gain in adult mice is related to diminished bone…

This study evaluated whether dried plum was able to restore bone mass in osteopenic ovariectomized rats.  Dried plum at 5% of the diet was effective in restoring femoral and tibial bone density and increased lumbar bone density.  The increase in femoral bone density in rats fed dried plum diets resulted in improved bone quality as indicated by 6.9% and 6.0% improvement in overall yield and ultimate force respectively.  The improvement in biomechanical properties of long bones due to dried plum, in part, may be due to the favorable microstructural changes as evident by enhanced tibial bone…

The use of non-pharmacological alternatives to pharmacological interventions, e.g., nutritional therapy, to improve or maintain bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women has gained traction over the past decade, but limited data exist regarding its efficacy. The purpose of this case report was to compare changes in BMD of an osteopenic postmenopausal woman over the course of 28 months, including an abrupt change in diet. For the first 12 months, a participant assigned to the control arm of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) only took calcium and vitamin D3 supplements, but in the…

In the abstract, the authors state that bone loss caused by ionizing radiation is a potential health concern for radiotherapy patients, radiation workers and astronauts. In animal studies, exposure to ionizing radiation increases oxidative damage in skeletal tissues, and results in an imbalance in bone remodeling initiated by increased bone-resorbing osteoclasts. The researchers evaluated various candidate interventions with antioxidant or anti-inflammatory activities (antioxidant cocktail, dihydrolipoic acid, ibuprofen, dried plum) both for their ability to blunt the expression of…

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is accompanied by rapid loss of bone and increased risk of low impact fractures. Current pharmacological treatment approaches have proven to be relatively ineffective in preventing or treating bone loss after SCI. Dietary supplementation with dried plum (DP) has been shown to have dramatic effects on bone in various other disease models. In this study, we tested the efficacy of DP in preventing bone loss after SCI and restoring bone that has already been lost in response to SCI. Male C57BL/6J mice (3‐month‐old) underwent SCI and were fed a diet containing 25% DP by…

This cell culture study investigated how dried plum polyphenols and different concentrations ((0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 μg/ml) might influence osteoblast activity and mineralized nodule formation under normal and inflammatory conditions. Polyphenol doses of 5, 10 and 20 μg/ml enhanced the production of compounds linked to bone formation and countered the detrimental effects of TNF-a addition.

This study investigated dried plum polyphenols' effect on osteoclast differentiation and activity in cell cultures.  Results of this study, combined with results of the authors' previous reports, suggest that the antiresorptive properties of dried plums observed in animal studies are in part mediated by polyphenols suppression of osteoclast differentiation and activity under normal, oxidative stress, and inflammatory conditions.

The study was designed to determine the extent to which dried plum prevents skeletal deterioration in gonadal hormone deficient male animals and to begin to understand the mechanism. Sham operated on orchidectomized male rats fed dried plum diets at 5, 15 and 25 percent (w/w) levels. The 15 and 25 percent dried plum diets prevented the ORX-induced decrease in whole body, femur and lumbar vertebrae bone mineral density. Results of other biomechanical testing are discussed. The authors conclude that dried plum prevents osteopenia in androgen deficient male rats and that the benefits may be…

This study compared the effects of dried plum on bone to other dried fruits (apple, apricot, grape or mango) and further explored the potential mechanisms of action by which dried plum may exert its osteoprotective effects. Adult osteopenic ovariectomized (OVX) mice were fed a control diet or diet supplemented with 25% (w/w) dried fruit for 8 weeks. Whole-body and spine bone mineral density improved in mice fed the dried plum, apricot and grape diets compared to the OVX control; but only dried plum had an anabolic effect on trabecular bone in the vertebra and prevented bone loss in the tibia.…

The study assessed the effect of daily consumption of 100 grams (10Ð12) of dried plums for three months on markers of bone turnover. Compared to baseline, dried plums significantly increased serum levels of IGF-I and BSAP activity. According to the authors, higher levels are associated with greater rates of bone formation.Menopause drastically increases the risk of osteoporosis. Aside from drug therapy, lifestyle and nutritional factors play an important role in the maintenance of skeletal health. Our recent findings suggest that dried plums, a rich source of phenolic and flavonoid compounds,…

In an animal model of hormone deficiency, female rats were fed dried plums at 5 percent and 25 percent (w/w) of the diet. Ovariectomy significantly reduced bone mineral density of the 4th lumbar vertebrae and femurs and decreased trabecular bone area of the tibia. The high dose dried plum diet prevented this bone loss and the dried plum diet’s dose dependently enhanced circulating IGF-I, known to stimulate bone formation.

The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans advocate for increasing fruit intake and replacing energy-dense foods with those that are nutrient-dense. Nutrition across the lifespan is pivotal for the healthy development and maintenance of bone. The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that over half of Americans age 50+ have either osteoporosis or low bone mass. Dried plums, also commonly referred to as prunes, have a unique nutrient and dietary bioactive profile and are suggested to exert beneficial effects on bone. To further elucidate and summarize the potential mechanisms and…

Several male animal studies have demonstrated bone-protective effects of dried plum; however, no human male study has evaluated the effect of dried plum on bone health. We conducted a randomized controlled clinical study to test if daily inclusion of 100 g of dried plum in the diet positively influenced bone mineral density (BMD), bone strength, and bone biomarkers in men. Sixty-six men were randomly assigned to one of two daily treatment groups: (1) control (0 g dried plum) or (2) 100 g dried plum. Blood samples were collected at baseline and after 3, 6, and 12 months to assess bone…

Traditionally, osteoporosis has been viewed as a disease mostly affecting women, but cases in men are increasing. Fractures due to osteoporosis can lead to a decreased quality of life in vulnerable populations and lead to increased mortality in men. Although several studies of male and female animals and adult women have demonstrated bone protective effects of dried plum (prunes), no human study has evaluated the effect of dried plum on bone health in men. The objective of the current study was to examine the long-term effects of 100 g dried plum on bone density and strength in men.

Osteoporosis in men is an overlooked yet increasingly important clinical problem that, historically, has not received the same degree of awareness as with women. Epidemiologic studies demonstrate that male osteoporosis contributes significantly to the burden of osteoporotic fractures, especially among the aging population. Although several studies of male animals have demonstrated bone protective effects of dried plum, no human study has evaluated the effect of dried plum on bone metabolism in men. For this purpose, we conducted a randomized controlled clinical study to test if daily…

Our previous findings in osteopenic postmenopausal women indicated that daily consumption of 100 g dried plum for one year is highly effective in increasing bone mineral density (BMD), as well as improving indices of bone turnover. The objective of our current study was to examine whether 50 g dried plum would be as effective as 100 g dried plum in reversing bone loss in osteopenic older postmenopausal women. Forty Eight osteopenic women (65-79 years old) were randomly assigned into one of three treatment groups: 1) 50 g dried plum; 2) 100 g dried plum; and 3) control (0 g dried plum) with…

According to the abstract, the researchers investigated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties of dried plum (Prunus domestica L.) polyphenols in macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. They hypothesized that dried plum polyphenols have strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of the pro-inflammatory markers, nitric oxide (NO) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and the lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde, in activated macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Macrophage RAW 264.7 cells were stimulated with either 1 μg ml_1 (for measurement…

This study investigated the effect of a preload including dried prunes eaten as a snack prior to a meal compared to a preload of an isoenergetic and equal weighed bread product.  Researchers investigated short-term effect on satiety measured by subsequent ad lib meal intake and reduced appetite for dessert after lunch; and assessed satiety by visual analogue scales (VAS).Participants in the randomized within-subject crossover study included 45 healthy, normal-weight subjects. Results indicated that when subjects consumed the preload that included dried prunes, they consumed less of the…

This study investigated the effect of a preload including dried prunes eaten as a snack prior to a meal compared to a preload of an isoenergetic and equal weighed bread product.  Researchers investigated short-term effect on satiety measured by subsequent ad lib meal intake and reduced appetite for dessert after lunch; and assessed satiety by visual analogue scales (VAS).Participants in the randomized within-subject crossover study included 45 healthy, normal-weight subjects. Results indicated that when subjects consumed the preload that included dried prunes, they consumed less of the…

This study investigated the effect of a preload including dried prunes eaten as a snack prior to a meal compared to a preload of an isoenergetic and equal weighed bread product.  Researchers investigated short-term effect on satiety measured by subsequent ad lib meal intake and reduced appetite for dessert after lunch; and assessed satiety by visual analogue scales (VAS).Participants in the randomized within-subject crossover study included 45 healthy, normal-weight subjects. Results indicated that when subjects consumed the preload that included dried prunes, they consumed less of the…

The mechanisms by which dried plums impart bone-protective properties remain unclear. Recent research has shown that osteocytes may control bone formation via the production of sclerostin and bone resorption via the receptor activator of NF-kB ligand (RANKL) and its inhibitor osteoprotegerin (OPG). In this study, the researchers measured serum levels of RANKL, OPG and sclerostin in osteopenic postmenopausal women (n 160) to investigate the mechanism of action of dried plum in reversing bone loss. Participants were randomly assigned to the treatment group of either 100 g dried plum/d or 75 g…

Building on their previous research that demonstrated the ability of 100 g of dried plums/prunes to help prevent bone loss in older, osteopenic postmenopausal women, the investigators examined the possible dose-dependent effects in 48 osteopenic postmenopausal women (65-79 y). The three treatment groups included a control, 50 g dried plums or 100 g dried plums for 6 months. Total body, hip, and lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) were measured at baseline and 6 months using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Bone biomarkers measured at baseline, 3 and 6 months included bone-specific alkaline…

The prevalence of osteoporosis among women aged 50 years and older is expected to reach 13.6 million by 2030. Alternative non-pharmaceutical agents for osteoporosis including nutritional interventions are becoming increasingly popular. Prunes (dried plums) (Prunus domestica L.) have been studied as a potential whole food dietary intervention to mitigate bone loss in preclinical models of osteoporosis and in osteopenic postmenopausal women. Sixteen preclinical studies using in vivo rodent models of osteopenia or osteoporosis have established that dietary supplementation with prunes confers…

Osteoporosis is a major health concern in aging populations, where 54% of the U.S. population aged 50 and older have low bone mineral density (BMD). Increases in inflammation and oxidative stress play a major role in the development of osteoporosis. Men are at a greater risk of mortality due to osteoporosis-related fractures. Our earlier findings in rodent male and female models of osteoporosis, as well as postmenopausal women strongly suggest the efficacy of prunes (dried plum) in reducing inflammation and preventing/reversing bone loss. The objective of this study was to examine the effects…

Osteoporosis is a public health concern for both women and men. Chronic inflammation contributes to bone loss; therefore, foods rich in antioxidants, such as prunes, are of great interest. Previously, dietary intervention with prunes has been shown to prevent orchidectomy-induced decreases in BMD, microstructure, and biomechanics in male rats; however, there is a need for this to be studied in a clinical setting in adult males.

This review summarizes findings of studies published to date which examine the beneficial effects of dried plum on bone in both female and male animals models of osteoporosis as well as a published clinical trial. Animal studies indicate that dried plum protects against but more importantly reverses bone loss in two separate models of osteopenia. A 3-month clinical trial indicated that consumption of dried plum daily by postmenopausal women significantly increased serum markers of bone formation, total alkaline phosphatase, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and insulin-like growth factor-1…

Fiber, particularly cereal fiber, consumption among the elderly is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

The study tested the hypothesis that dietary fiber in dried plums can lower plasma cholesterol levels in men with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia. Dried plums provide approximately 5 to 7 grams of dietary fiber per 100 grams, about 60 percent of which is pectin. Pectin as a type of soluble dietary fiber previously had been shown to lower serum cholesterol in those with hypercholesterolemia. These studies used purified pectin rather than pectin-containing foods. This study tested the ability of pectin-containing whole foods to lower blood cholesterol levels. It also tested the hypothesis…

This 1-year clinical trial investigated the effect of dried apple (75 g) vs dried plum (about 100 g) matched for calories, carbohydrate, fat and fiber on lowering cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in postmenopausal women. There were no significant differences between the dried fruit interventions in altering serum levels of atherogenic cholesterol levels except at 6 months with the dried apple intervention. Dried plum consumption lowered serum total and LDL cholesterol by 3.5% and 8% respectively at 12 months compared to baseline, but the decline was not statistically significant.…

Dried plums contain bioactive components that have demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The objective of this study was to determine if dried plum consumption reduces the risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in postmenopausal women, specifically examining lipid profiles, oxidative stress, antioxidant capacity, and inflammation in a dose-dependent manner. We conducted a 6-month, parallel-design controlled clinical trial, where 48 postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to consume 0, 50, or 100 g of dried plum each day. After 6 months of intervention, total…

The apoE-deficient mouse, which develops atherosclerotic lesions rapidly when fed cholesterol, was used to determine the ability of dried plums at different dose levels to reduce atherosclerosis.  Arterial trees were dissected, stained to visualize lesions, and lesion area was quantitated by imaging software. Percentage arterial tree atherosclerotic lesion area was significantly lower in the low dose dried plum diet with a trend in difference with the higher dried plum diet.  These results suggest that consuming dried plums may help slow the development of atherosclerosis. The study also…

This study investigated the effect of a preload including dried prunes eaten as a snack prior to a meal compared to a preload of an isoenergetic and equal weighed bread product.  Researchers investigated short-term effect on satiety measured by subsequent ad lib meal intake and reduced appetite for dessert after lunch; and assessed satiety by visual analogue scales (VAS).Participants in the randomized within-subject crossover study included 45 healthy, normal-weight subjects. Results indicated that when subjects consumed the preload that included dried prunes, they consumed less of the…

Epidemiological evidence suggests that diets rich in fruit and vegetables decrease the risk of premature mortality from major clinical conditions, including cancer and heart disease. It is not yet clear which components or combination of components in fruit and vegetables are protective or what their mechanism of action is.

The study tested the hypotheses that dietary fiber extracted from dried plums lowers plasma and liver cholesterol compared with purified cellulose in rats with diet-induced hyperlipidemia and that the response is dose dependent. The dietary fiber sources included 6 percent cellulose, 3 percent dried plum fiber, 6 percent dried plum fiber or 3 percent pectin. The nonhyperlipidemic control was fed a 6 percent cellulose diet without cholesterol or cholic acid. Results showed that groups of rats fed the pectin or dried plum fiber diets had lower plasma, LDL and liver cholesterol concentrations…

This study investigated the efficacy of prunes on lowering cholesterol in an ovariectomized (ovx) rat model. Animals were divided into four groups: sham-operated+contol diet; ovx+control diet; ovx+5 percent prune diet and ovx+25 percent prune diet. OVX raised serum total cholesterol 22 percent compared with sham, and the 25 percent prune diet prevented this increase without affecting HDL-C. The authors report that prune exhibits hypocholesterolemic properties in an animal model of ovarian hormone deficiency.

High fruit and vegetable fiber intakes reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease and possibly colon cancer.

Results of this study suggest that relative to a commercially processed low-fat cookie snack, dried plums promote more favorable plasma triglyceride responses, improved dietary quality, and slightly improved bowel function. The study investigated the influence of a 2-week intervention incorporating 100 kcal servings of dried plums vs low-fat cookies twice daily on total energy, nutrient intake, biochemical parameters and bowel habits in a randomized crossover design of two-2-week trials separated by a 2-week washout period. The study involved 26 women aged 25-54 with a body mass index (BMI)…

Two studies investigating the impact of dried fruits eaten as a snack on weight control were designed to examine the effects of prunes and raisins on appetite (phase 1), and whether prunes undermine weight loss, due to the increase in energy density on drying when included in a structured weight loss program (phase 2). Phase 1 compared the effect on the appetite of equi-weight or equi-caloric snacks of prunes (100 or 140 g) and raisins (100 or 111 g) with a control condition (100 g/335 kcal jelly babies), in a pre-load, cross-over design (n = 40 analyzed). A significant effect of condition on…

This study investigated the effect of a preload including dried prunes eaten as a snack prior to a meal compared to a preload of an isoenergetic and equal weighed bread product.  Researchers investigated short-term effect on satiety measured by subsequent ad lib meal intake and reduced appetite for dessert after lunch; and assessed satiety by visual analogue scales (VAS).Participants in the randomized within-subject crossover study included 45 healthy, normal-weight subjects. Results indicated that when subjects consumed the preload that included dried prunes, they consumed less of the…

This study assessed the effect of different snack foods on satiety, plasma glucose and hormone responses in 19 adult overweight women. The test snacks included dried plums, low-fat cookies, white bread and water only on separate days. With the exception of water, the snacks provided 238 kcal and were similar in macronutrient content but differed in fiber and sugar content.  Subjects rated feeling of hunger using satiety index scales at 15-minute time points for 2 hours following initiation of intake. Blood samples were collected at baseline and at 15,30, 45,60, 90 and 120 minutes following…

Subjects with type 2 diabetes who consumed a diet containing food naturally rich in fiber (e.g., 50 g fiber/day, 50% soluble) for 6 weeks had significant improvements in glycemic control and lipid levels when compared with patients who consumed a diet with moderate amounts of fiber (e.g., 25 g fiber/day, 50% soluble).

According to the abstract, a thorough literature review found that common perceptions about dried fruits - that they are “sticky”, adhere to teeth, and are detrimental to dental health because of their sugar content - are based on weak evidence. The lack of good quality scientific data to support restrictive advice for dried fruit intake on the basis of dental health parameters requires further research. The potentially positive attributes for dental health, such as the need to chew dried fruits which encourages salivary flow, and the presence of anti-microbial compounds and of sorbitol, also…

Smokers suffer from decreased antioxidant capacity, a risk factor for numerous chronic diseases. Consumption of antioxidant-rich foods such as dried plums may increase antioxidant capacity and reduce disease risk. Nonsmokers (n=14) and smokers (n=6) between the ages of 18 and 45 years were recruited to participate in 2 randomly ordered trials in which they received 100 g of dried plums at one visit and a refined isocaloric control food (muffins) at another. Antioxidant capacity was examined in blood samples collected at baseline and 60, 90, and 120 minutes post-feeding. No significant…

High fiber intake has been associated with a decreased breast cancer risk. This study investigated the effects of prunes as a source of fiber on the concentrations and ratios of two estrogen metabolites: 2OHE1 and 16aOHE1. A higher urinary ratio of 2OHE1 to 16aOHE1 may be associated with a lower risk of breast cancer. Healthy premenopausal women ate their usual diet for three menstrual cycles and then consumed 100 grams (10-12 prunes) for the next three cycles. Urinary 2OHE1 and 16aOHE1 were determined during the follicular and luteal phases. Prune supplementation significantly decreased…

A high-fiber, low-fat diet intervention is associated with reduced serum bioavailable estradiol concentration in women diagnosed with breast cancer, in whom the majority did not exhibit weight loss.

Neutrophil elastase, a marker of pulmonary inflammation, is secreted by macrophages within minutes of cigarette smoking to combat inflammation. Excessive levels of neutrophil elastase have been implicated in the pathogenesis of emphysema. Oxidative stress induced by smoking destroys the inhibitors of neutrophil elastase, further exacerbating the uncontrolled release and activity of the enzyme. To determine the effect of dried plums, a high antioxidant food, on neutrophil elastase, nonsmokers (n=14) and smokers (n=5) underwent two trials in which they consumed 100 g dried plums at one visit…