Effect of in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion on some nutritional characteristics of several dried fruits
To provide new information on potential health benefits of dried fruits, the effects of in vitro digestion on minerals, total phenolics, total sugars and the antioxidant capacities were evaluated. For the first time, the bioaccessibility of these compounds during in vitro digestion was assessed by multivariate statistical analysis. Although the amount of all minerals decreased […]
The Short-Term Effect of Prunes in Improving Bone in Men.
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 […]
Establishing a Reference Baseline for Midday Stem Water Potential in Olive and Its Use for Plant-Based Irrigation Management.
Midday stem water potential (SWP) is rapidly becoming adopted as a standard tool for plant-based irrigation management in many woody perennial crops. A reference or "baseline" SWP has been used in some crops (almond, prune, grape, and walnut) to account for the climatic influence of air vapor pressure deficit (VPD) on SWP under non-limiting soil […]
The Role of Prunes in Modulating Inflammatory Pathways to Improve Bone Health in Postmenopausal Women
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 […]
Effects of 12 Months Consumption of 100 g Dried Plum (Prunes) on Bone Biomarkers, Density, and Strength in Men.
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, […]
Fruits and their impact on the gut microbiota, gut motility and constipation.
Fruits are the seed-bearing product of plants and have considerable nutritional importance in the human diet. The consumption of fruits is among the dietary strategies recommended for constipation due to its potential effects on the gut microbiota and gut motility. Dietary fiber from fruits has been the subject of research on the impact on gut […]
Dried plum consumption improves bone mineral density in osteopenic postmenopausal woman: A case report.
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 […]
Dried Plum Consumption Improves Total Cholesterol and Antioxidant Capacity and Reduces Inflammation in Healthy Postmenopausal Women.
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 […]
Limited Evidence for Accumulation of Latent Infections of Canker-Causing Pathogens in Shoots of Stone Fruit and Nut Crops in California
Prevalence of latent infections of the canker-causing fungi Botryosphaeria dothidea and species of Cytospora, Diplodia, Lasiodiplodia, Neofusicoccum, and Phomopsis in young shoots of almond, prune and walnut trees in California was studied to test the hypotheses that 1) latent infections accumulate from current-season shoots to 1-year-old shoots in the orchard and 2) there are distinct […]
Effects of drying and extraction methods on bioactive properties of plums
Plums are a popular fruit whose large quantities are subjected to processing, which contributes to changes in the physicochemical parameters, and the magnitude of these changes is determined by the technology applied. The study aimed to analyse the bioactive compound content and the antioxidant capacity of plums of the Bluefree, Stanley and Sweet Common Prune […]