Researchers directed a 6-month parallel-design controlled clinical trial with 48 postmenopausal women. Each participant was randomly divided into one of three groups that consumed, either 0, 50, or 100 grams of prunes per day. At the conclusion of the 6-month intervention, it was found that the total cholesterol in those individuals consuming 100 grams per day and the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in those consuming 50 grams per day were significantly improved compared to those with an intake of 0 grams of prunes. Furthermore, improvements in inflammatory biomarkers interleukin and tumor necrosis factor were observed in the 50 gram/day group and this group also saw their antioxidant capacity increased.
In summary, the research shows that consuming between 50 and 100 grams of prunes per day may improve various cardiovascular disease risk factors in postmenopausal women such as total cholesterol, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers.
Hong, M. Y., Kern, M., Nakamichi-Lee, M., Abbaspour, N., Ahouraei Far, A., & Hooshmand, S. (2021). Dried Plum Consumption Improves Total Cholesterol and Antioxidant Capacity and Reduces Inflammation in Healthy Postmenopausal Women. Journal of Medicinal Food.