New research shows consuming dried plums increases antioxidant capacity in adult women
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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Sacramento, Calif. – Consuming dried plums as a snack twice daily for two weeks increased antioxidant capacity in adult women, according to recent research presented at the 2010 Experimental Biology meeting in Anaheim, California.¹
“Consumption of an antioxidant-rich diet is associated with a lower incidence of heart disease and is thought to be involved with preventing cancer and inflammatory diseases,” said lead researcher Mark Kern, PhD, RD, Department of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences at San Diego State University. “We felt it would be valuable to compare the effect of dried plums to a popular low-fat cookie on participants’ blood antioxidant levels. Our research suggests that by making a rather simple change in snacking habits – adding the two servings of dried plums to their usual diet – women could boost their antioxidant capacity.”
Twenty-seven women aged 25 to 54 were fed twice daily 100 kcal servings of either dried plums (about 5 to 6 dried plums) or low-fat cookies for separate two-week trials with a two-week wash out period. After an overnight fast, blood samples were collected prior to initiating each feeding trial and after two weeks of each trial. The antioxidant capacity (as measured by TEAC, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity) of participants eating the dried plums increased significantly compared to when they ate the low-fat cookie. C-reactive protein (a measure of unspecified oxidative stress) did not differ significantly between the two feeding trials.
An earlier study presented by Kern at the 2009 Experimental Biology conference suggested that consuming dried plums as a snack suppressed appetite relative to a low-fat cookie snack while offering nutritional benefits.2
“These two studies taken together suggest that dried plums are really an ideal snack for women,” said Kern. “Snacking on dried plums is a good way to increase antioxidant intake, and also a tasty way to curb the appetite.”
This study along with previous studies adds further evidence that dried plums are a superfruit, not only for digestive health, but for other important areas of health as well. Previous studies show that dried plums reduce LDL cholesterol in humans and that the fiber pectin found in dried plums reduces cholesterol in animals. The versatile dried fruit has many nutrients, including potassium, magnesium and boron, as well as a high antioxidant score, giving dried plums numerous health benefits from helping maintain desirable blood sugar levels to possibly reducing skin wrinkles.
These studies were supported by the California Dried Plum Board.
California Dried Plum Board: The CDPB represents 900 dried plum growers and 21 dried plum packers under the authority of the California Secretary of Food and Agriculture. Revered as part of California’s rich history, the dried plum remains a vital player in California’s economic wealth. California produces 99 percent of the United States’ and 50 percent of the world’s supply of dried plums, a convenient, healthy snack for today’s busy lifestyle. For more information, please visit www.californiadriedplums.org and www.tummywise.com.
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