Health Professionals

The California Dried Plum Board sponsors nutrition and medical research that supports the role of dried plums in a balanced and health-promoting diet.

Snack Selection Influences Nutrient Intake, Triglycerides, and Bowel Habits of Adult Women: A Pilot Study

09-01-2010

J Am Diet Assoc. 2010;110:1322-1327. doi: 10.1016/j.jada.2010.06.002. Howarth L, Petrisko Y, Ferchner-Evanson A, Nemoseck T and Kern, M.


Results of this study suggest that relative to a commercially processed low-fat cookie snack, dried plums promote more favorable plasma triglyceride responses, improved dietary quality, and slightly improved bowel function. The study investigated the influence of a 2-week intervention incorporating 100 kcal servings of dried plums vs low-fat cookies twice daily on total energy, nutrient intake, biochemical parameters and bowel habits in a randomized crossover design of two-2-week trials separated by a 2-week washout period. The study involved 26 women aged 25-54 with a body mass index (BMI) between 24 and 25. Incorporation into the diet of dried plums or the low-fat cookies did not change energy intake or weight. However, compared to cookies, dried plums promoted greater (P<0.05) intake of fiber, potassium, riboflavin, niacin, and calcium. Total fat intake tended to decrease with dried plum consumption as did cholesterol intake. Plasma triglyceride concentration remained unchanged by dried plum consumption (P>0.05) and was 17.0 +/-29.2 mg/dL higher ((P<0.05) after consumption of the low fat cookies at the end of 2 weeks. Dried plums promoted a softer (P<0.05) stool consistency vs usual intake and in comparison to intake of low-fat cookies.


 


Type of Snack Influences Satiety Responses in Adult Women

06-30-2010

Appetite 54 (2010); 564-569. Furchner-Evanson Al, Petrisko Y, Howarth L, Memoseck T, and Kern M.


About 87% of women report eating snacks – which can contribute more than 20% of daily energy intake. Since appropriate snacking may promote a healthy body weight in women, it is important to determine which snack foods are most effective for appetite control. This study compared the effect of snack foods on satiety, plasma glucose and hormone responses. Snack foods included dried plums, low-fat cookies, white bread and water only. The satiety index was significantly higher for dried plums versus the low-fat cookies. The dried plum trial elicited lower plasma glucose and insulin area under the curve than the low-fat cookie trial and tended to promote greater plasma ghrelin. Results suggest that consuming dried plums as a snack suppresses hunger relative to a low-fat cookie as evidenced by lower glucose and/or satiety-regulating hormone concentrations.

See All Research Abstracts

Nutrition Advisory Panel Guides Research

The Nutrition Advisory Panel helps identify research priorities and provides overall guidance of the Nutrition Research Program and funded projects.

Meet the Panel