Eating prunes daily can improve risk factors for cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women

New research published in the Journal of Medicinal Food suggests that eating plums daily may improve cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, including increasing antioxidant capacity and reducing inflammation in healthy postmenopausal women.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide and poses a significant public health challenge.

Research, led by San Diego State University, shows that prunes can have a positive impact on heart disease risk.

“If you look at our research to date and the research of others combined with this new data, you will see consistent evidence that prune consumption can be beneficial for health,” said lead researcher Shirin Hooshmand, Ph.D., RD , Professor in the School of Exercise and Nutrition Science at San Diego State University.

In this randomized, controlled study, the researchers found that consuming 50 grams of prunes (about 5-6 plums) per day for just 6 months resulted in improved biomarkers of CVD risk – including increases in “good” cholesterol Body known as HDL, and lowering the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL.

Daily consumption of plums also promoted higher antioxidant capacity and lowered levels of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha, which are linked to risk of CVD. Notably, the subjects’ body mass index and weight were maintained throughout the study, although plums were added to the usual diet.

The researchers recruited 48 healthy postmenopausal women who were divided into three groups – a control group who did not eat plums and two treatment groups who consumed either 50 grams or 100 grams of plums daily during the six-month study. All other aspects of the diet and lifestyle of the women remained similar to prior to the study. Various biomarkers of CVD risk were collected at the beginning and end of the study to determine if there were improvements in those biomarkers in those who consumed plums. Interestingly, those who ate 50 grams of prunes and those who consumed 100 grams had similar positive results – suggesting that adding 5-6 prunes or more to their daily diet had a positive effect on CVD risk may have.

Reducing chronic inflammation and increasing the body’s antioxidant capacity, along with many other diseases, is linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Not only does this study show that prunes can be a great way to reduce inflammation and increase antioxidant capacity, it also suggests that consuming prunes daily can improve cholesterol levels in postmenopausal women.

Mark Kern, Ph.D., RD, CSSD, Professor of Nutrition in the School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences at San Diego State University

While the exact mechanisms and specific compounds that contribute to these beneficial effects have yet to be determined, naturally occurring antioxidant phenolic compounds, fiber, and other nutrients are believed to play a role. This study shows that prunes can be a promising and convenient addition to diet for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and inflammation while improving antioxidant capacity.

The study contributes to a growing body of knowledge about the overall health and nutritional benefits of plums, including bone health. Previous clinical studies have shown a favorable bone response to prunes in postmenopausal women. Recently, researchers reported that total bone density increased in a postmenopausal woman with osteopenia after consuming 50 grams of plums daily for 16 months. This case study was published in the Bone Reports in May of this year.

Source:

Journal reference:

Hong MY et al. (2021) Consumption of dried plums improves total cholesterol and antioxidant capacity and reduces inflammation in healthy postmenopausal women. Medical food journal. doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2020.0142.

source https://dailyhealthynews.ca/eating-prunes-daily-can-improve-risk-factors-for-cardiovascular-disease-in-postmenopausal-women/