| |
 |  |
|  |
Here is a selection of dried plum research. For additional research on dried plum composition and health, please visit: http://www.californiadriedplums.org/Nutrition/HealthProfessionals/Research/
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 reported on other measures of oxidative stress and inflammation.
Gallaher, C.M. and Gallaher, D.D. (2008). "Dried plums (prunes) reduce atherosclerosis lesion area in
apolipoprotein E-deficient mice." Br J Nutr. Sep 2:1-7. [Epub ahead of print]
The effect of feeding dried plums at two dose levels on the number of precancerous lesions (aberrant crypts, ACs), fecal bile acid concentration and cecal bacterial enzyme activities related to colon cancer risk in rats was studied. Although the number of AC foci did not differ among the different animal groups, the dried plum diets favorably altered other colon cancer risk factors as measured by bacterial enzyme activities.
Yang, Y and Gallaher, DD. (2005). "Effect of Dried Plums on Colon Cancer Risk Factors in Rats." Nutrition and Cancer 53, no. 1 (2005): 117-125.
Eighteen plum/prune preparations and byproducts were analyzed for proximate constituents and carbohydrate profiles. Monosaccharides, sugar alcohols, and oligosaccharides were found in higher concentrations in the fruit than in the pit and accounted for 2.9-84.7% of substrate organic matter.
Dikeman, C.L., L.L. Bauer, and G.C. Fahey, Jr. (2004) "Carbohydrate composition of selected plum/prune preparations." J Agric Food Chem 52: 853-859.
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.
Chun, O. K., D. O. Kim, et al. (2003). "Contribution of individual polyphenolics to total antioxidant capacity of plums." J Agric Food Chem 51(25): 7240-5.
Total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity of 11 cultivars of fresh plums were determined using spectrophotometric methods.
Kim, D. O., O. K. Chun, et al. (2003). "Quantification of polyphenolics and their antioxidant capacity in fresh plums." J Agric Food Chem 51(22): 6509-15.
Postmenopausal women not on HRT consumed either dried plums or dried apples daily for 3 months. Compared to base-line values, only dried plums significantly increased serum levels of IGF-I and BSAP activity, higher levels of which are associated with greater rates of bone formation. The authors suggest that dried plums may exert positive effects on bone in postmenopausal women.
Arjmandi, B.H., D.A. Khalil et al (2002). "Dried plums improve indices of bone formation in postmenopausal women." J Women's Health & Gender-based Medicine 11 (1) 61-68.
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.
Fang, N, S Yu and R.L. Prior (2002). "LC/MS/MS characterization of phenolic constituents in dried plums." J Agric Food Chem 50: 3579-3585.
A higher urinary ratio of the biologically inactive estrogen metabolite, 2 hydroxyestrone (2OHE1) to the biologically active metabolite, 16a-hydroxyestrone (16alphaOHE1), may be associated with a lower risk of breast cancer. Prune supplementation significantly decreased the excretion of 16alphaOHE1 during the follicular phase of the first menstrual cycle and during the luteal phases of both the first and third menstrual cycles. The 2OHE1-16alphaOHE1 did not change significantly. The potential significance of the decrease in 16alphaOHE1 excretion without a change in the 2OHE1-16alphaOHE1 ratio on the prevention of estrogen-dependent cancers remains to be determined.
Kasim-Karakas S.E., R.U Almario et al (2002). "Effects of prune consumption on the ratio of 2-hydroxyestrone to 16a-hydroxyestrone." Am J Clin Nutr 76: 1422-1427.
The effects of dried plums on bone loss due to ovarian hormone deficiency were examined in 4 groups of rats: sham-operated; ovariectomized; ovariectomized with a 5% dried plum diet; and ovariectomized with a 25% dried plum diet. Ovariectomy significantly reduced bone mineral density of the 4th lumbar vertebrae and femur, and decreased the trabecular bone area of the tibiae. The 25% dried plum diet completely prevented this ovx-induced bone loss and the dried plum diets dose-dependently enhanced circulating IGF-I, known to stimulate bone formation without affecting bone resorption.
Arjmandi, B. H. E.A. Lucas et al (2001). "Dried plums prevent ovariectomy-induced bone loss in rats." JANA 4 (1) 50-56.
Hydroxycinnamates, components of many fruits and vegetables, are present in particularly high concentration in prunes. Little is known about the absorption and metabolism of these metabolites after normal foods are consumed. An LC-electrospray-MS method was developed to measure the concentration of prune associated acids. The method is capable of detecting changes in hydroxycinnamate levels induced by dietary consumption.
Cremin, P, S. Kasim-Karakas and A.L. Waterhouse (2001). "LC/ES-MS detection of hydroxycinnamates in human plasma and urine." J Agric Food Chem 49: 1747-1750.
This literature review summarizes the current knowledge of the chemical composition of prunes and their biological effects on human health. It contains over 150 citations.
Stacewicz-Sapuntzakis, M., P.E. Bowen et al. (2001). "Chemical composition and potential health effects of prunes: A functional food?" Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition 41 (4):251-286.
Commercial prune and prune juice extracts were analyzed for phenolics and tested for the ability to inhibit the oxidation of human LDL. Hydroxycinnamates, especially neochlorogenic acid and chlorogenic acid, predominated the total phenolic compounds. These compounds, as well as prune and prune juice extracts, inhibited the oxidation of LDL, indicating that prunes and prune juice may provide a source of dietary antioxidants.
Donovan, J.L., A.S. Meyer, and A.L. Waterhouse (1998). "Phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of prunes and prune juice (Prunus domestica)." J Agric Food Chem 46:1247-1252.
Male rats with diet-induced hyperlipidemia were fed different forms of fiber: 6% cellulose, 3 or 6% prune fiber or 3% pectin. Rats consuming prune fiber had significantly lower cholesterol concentrations in plasma and liver than those with 6% cellulose. There was no significant difference between the two levels of prune fiber and both were nearly as effective as the 3% pectin diet.
Tinker L.R., P.A. Davis et al. (1994). "Prune fiber of pectin compared with cellulose lowers plasma and liver lipids in rats with diet-induced hyperlipidemia." J Nutr 124: 31-40.
Forty-one men with mild hypercholesteremia consumed 100 g of prunes daily for 4 weeks; their LDL-cholesterol decreased slightly but significantly compared with 4 weeks of supplementary grape juice for the same subjects in a cross-over design.
Tinker, L.F., P.A. Davis et al. (1991). "Consumption of prunes as a source of dietary fiber in men with mild hypercholesterolemia." Am J Clin Nutr 53: 1259-1265.
|
|  |
|
|
