Healthcare Professionals’ Newsletter
ISSUE 10 | NOVEMBER 2019 Further insight into the health benefits of prunes
The latest published study exploring the health benefits of California Prunes (a descendant of the Petite d’Agen plum Prunus domestica L. ) details findings from a USDA funded study by Dr Robert Hackman and his nutrition research team at the University of California, Davis. Published in the Journal of Medicinal Food 1, this randomised cross over trial explored markers of bone resorption and vascular function in healthy postmenopausal women following short-term modest prune consumption. This study represents realistic and easily achievable prune consumption patterns for most consumers, building on earlier clinical studies in postmenopausal women (bone and cardiovascular health) and men (cardiovascular health) which were of longer duration (6-12 months) and higher doses of up to 100g/15 prunes daily.
For this study, 27 healthy postmenopausal women, Medicine (IFCC) Bone Marker Standards Working with an average BMI of 24.5 and normal blood Group as the reference marker of bone resorption pressure, fasting blood glucose and blood lipids, in clinical studies 2. . A decline in CTX values discussion in relation to the increasing interest in were randomised to consume 2 or 6 California represents a decline in bone resorption (break the timing of hormonal treatment in order to Prunes, equivalent to approximately 14g and 42g down) and is considered favourable. Intakes of achieve the greatest benefit in women, which is respectively, as a daily snack for 2 weeks in addition monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats currently favouring early menopause. to their habitual diet. Following a 2 week washout significantly decreased when subjects consumed period subjects consumed the other study arm. the higher prune dose and although saturated fat The lack of control group could be considered a 3 day food diaries were taken during each phase. intake also decreased, this was not significant. The limitation of the study. However, control groups C-telopeptide, beta crosslinked (CTX) a marker of authors stated that this decrease in unsaturated can be a challenge in whole foods research, as bone resorption and a predictor of fracture risk; fat was ‘suggestive of a potential substitute of prunes explained by the authors, where the potential and markers of vascular health, including peripheral for other macronutrients’. No other significant substance of interest and its effect on the body is artery tonometry, plasma lipids, blood pressure, changes were seen to macro- or micronutrients unknown, eg to the microbiome, metabolism and and other metabolic panels, were monitored at intakes. Short term consumption of prunes did not physiology, thus making it difficult to design a baseline and after the test period during both arms alter CTX marker of bone health or cardio vascular suitable control. Additionally, blinding would be of the study. health compared to baseline. difficult without significantly changing the form of the prune (eg by cooking or chopping), which CTX is now recommended by the International could in turn alter the effect on the body, Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) and the International Results showed a favourable and significant and furthermore not represent habitual diets in Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory (p=0.006) decline in CTX when subjects a free-living population. The low, 2 prune/day consumed 6 prunes during the second phase dose included in this study was deemed to be of the study compared to those consuming sufficiently low as to not show an effect. 2 prunes in the second phase. The authors concluded that ‘the combination of a When considering the age post menopause, decreasing trend of CTX in the second phase of the further exploratory analysis showed that those study among women consuming six prunes per day women who were less than or equal to 7 years and the differential effect in AIx between women in after the menopause had significantly (p=0.045) early versus late menopause suggest that further lower levels of AIx (augmentation index - a investigation is warranted.’ Further investigations measure of peripheral arterial stiffness) compared using parallel-arm studies of longer durations, and to baseline. The authors’ rationale for exploring possibly additional biomarkers of bone and the age post menopause was explained in their cardiovascular health, are also warranted.
IN THIS ISSUE… Page 1: Further insight into the health benefits of prunes Page 2 & 3: Very latest Prune Research Headlines Page 3: Recipe - Warm Goat’s Cheese, Beetroot, Walnut & California Prune Salad Page 4: California Prune Board launch new branding and website Very latest Prune Research Headlines - as presented at the American Society for Nutrition annual conference
As part of the growing research around the role of prunes in health, latest findings from no fewer than 5 different research studies were showcased through posters and a presentation at the American Society for Nutrition ‘Nutrition 2019’, attended by 3600 health professionals in Baltimore, USA, from 8th-11th June. Abstracts outlining preliminary results from these ongoing prune studies have now been published as a supplement to the Current Developments in Nutrition journal and give some insights into the exciting up and coming research. Brief summaries are provided here with links to the full abstracts.
BONE HEALTH the control group. Based on these results to date, the authors have concluded that ‘The results of the After peaking in our early twenties, bone mass current study suggest that daily consumption of 100g starts to remodel and weaken, leading to dried plum [prunes] for 6 months has modest bone osteoporosis, which affects 200 million women protective effects in men that are somewhat similar to globally. Osteoporosis is responsible for more than those observed in postmenopausal osteopenic and 8.9 million fractures each year, equivalent to older osteopenic women.’ one every 3 seconds; and in the over 50s, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men globally will experience A separate randomised controlled study funded by 3 the USDA and conducted by Professor Arjmandi osteoporotic fractures . Whilst aging and genetics, 7 both risk factors for osteoporosis, cannot be and his team at Florida State University is also altered, dietary and lifestyle habits (weight bearing underway exploring the effects of daily prune exercise, not smoking or drinking alcohol in excess) intake (0g, 50g and 100g, with vitamin D and can help maximise bone strength and minimise calcium supplementation) for 12 months, on bone loss as we age. inflammation and indices of bone health in osteopenic men (55-80 year olds). PRUNE POLYPHENOLS AND Research into the role of prunes in bone health Data from a small subset of CARBOHYDRATE EFFECTS ON continues to grow. It is already known that the population group following 3 WEIGHT AND THE GUT ENVIRONMENT prunes are high in vitamin K and a source of months’ consumption was included manganese, two key nutrients that in the poster presentation, with Researchers from Oklahoma conducted two contribute to the maintenance of normal authors suggesting that prune animal studies 9 to explore the effects of prunes bones, and two research reviews from consumption ‘may contribute and their components (polyphenol and 2017 4,5 , suggest that the bone to increases in bone formation carbohydrate) on weight gain, body composition protective benefits of prunes go far and decreases in inflammation, and on the gut environment (through measuring and beyond these nutrients. Whilst however not to an extent that cecal bacterial taxa), in animal models of ovarian the exact mechanism for their affects bone quality’. The authors hormone deficiency (8 week old sham and protective effects remain to be suggest that three months may ovariectomised mice). In the first study, mice were confirmed, Arjmandi (2017) not be long enough to see fed a control diet; 25% prunes; or crude concludes: ‘it is likely that there changes in bone as a result of polyphenol extract (CPE) (to a level equivalent to are additive and/or synergistic consuming prunes and that in prunes). Those fed prunes or CPE effects among these [bioactive] therefore further analysis significantly lessened the weight gain, percentage compounds [in prunes]’, and of data will be conducted fat and abdominal white adipose tissue that was Wallace (2017) concludes that for the full study seen in the ovariectomised control mice at 5 and these ‘may in part be due to the population, following six 10 weeks. A reduced decrease in bone mass unique variety of phenolics months and one year of density; enrichment of the Short Chain Fatty and nutrients present’. The prune consumption. Acid (SCFA)-producing family was noted, following latest findings add to specifically Lachnospiraceae, Coriobacteriaceae this knowledge base. BONE HEALTH - and Verrucomicrobiaceae, which are associated RESEARCH with weight regulation; and increases in cecal PRUNES FOR BONE acetic, propionic, n-butyric and n-valeric acids, Professor Arjmandi HEALTH IN MEN were also seen. also presented results Researchers Shirin Hooshmand and from an animal study 8 In the second study, mice were fed CPE fractions, Mark Kern, San Diego State University, where 4 groups of female polyphenols (PP) or carbohydrate (CHO) via a 2x2 are conducting a randomised controlled rats (sham, ovariectomised, factorial design. Carbohydrate, with or without trial 6 to investigate the effect of long- ovariectomised plus 5% prune polyphenols, significantly reduced the weight gain, term intake of prunes (0g or 100g, with diet; and ovariectomised plus percentage body fat and white adipose tissue 500mg calcium and 300IU vitamin D 25% prune diet) were fed for induced by ovariectomy; and also reversed the loss supplementation) on biomarkers of bone 45 days. Loss of bone density of bone mass density. Verrucomicrobiaceae was turnover in men. Data from the half way at the right femoral and 4th more abundant with the PP group than CPE and point of the 12-month study shows time lumbar vertebrae caused by the CHO group showed no changes to the cecal - dependent significant reductions in the the ovariectomy was prevented bacterial environment. SCFA were increased with bone resorption markers serum tartrate following the 25% prune diet; CHO, regardless of PP content. Among the assessed resistant acid phosphatase-5b (TRAP5b) this group also had significantly outcomes, there were no additive effects of CHO and C-terminal collagen cross-links (CTX) higher levels of insulin-like and PP. The authors concluded that ‘Although their at both 3 and 6 months following 100g growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which prebiotic effects differ, both the carbohydrate and daily prune intake compared to baseline. is strongly correlated with polyphenol components contribute to prunes effects No changes were seen to either marker in bone formation. on weight gain and body composition.’
www.californiaprunes.co.uk PAGE TWO (Continued from Page 2) DRIED FRUIT AND VASCULAR HEALTH Prunes were included as part of investigating the effect of dried fruits on vascular health 10 . Professor Penny Kris-Etherton’s research group at Pennsylvania State University studied 55 overweight or obese adults, who also exhibited at least 1 risk factor for cardiometabolic disease, randomised to a 2-period crossover trial. Subjects consumed ¾ cup of dried fruit with no added sugars (28g each of prunes, raisins, figs and dates) versus a calorie and carbohydrate matched processed snack, daily for 4 weeks with a 2-4 weeks washout. Both groups were also advised to consume a daily portion of fresh fruit. No changes were seen to systolic blood pressure or measures of arterial stiffness. A significant decrease was seen in mean central pulse pressure following daily consumption of dried fruit compared to the control, which the authors note warrants further investigation.
PRUNES RESEARCH BROCHURE For a full list of all research on prunes, please see our newly updated research brochure available at https://californiaprunes.co.uk/wp- content/uploads/2019/09/V2.0-CPB_2019_Research-Book-FINAL.pdf which lists prune research and references by topic. Try this delicious autumn recipe… Warm Goat’s Cheese, Beetroot, Walnut & California Prune Salad
4 portions 10 mins prep time 15 mins cook time
INGREDIENTS INSTRUCTIONS (FOR THE SALAD) 1. Preheat the oven to 190C, (375F), gas mark 5. 60g whole walnuts, roughly chopped 2. Place all the dressing ingredients into a jar, close tightly and shake well. Set to one side. 200g round of goat's cheese, cut into four thick slices 3. Place the chopped walnuts on a baking tray and 8 handfuls of mixed leaves roast for 5 minutes, shaking once. When browned all (suggest watercress, baby- over, remove and set to one side. Be careful not to spinach and lamb lettuce) burn the walnuts. 8 California Prunes, finely sliced 4. Place the cheese rounds on a baking tray lined with parchment or foil. Place in the hot oven and leave 1 pack of 4 vacuum-packed until they have started to melt, but are still holding cooked beets, drained and their shape – about 5 minutes. Don’t try to turn them. thickly sliced 5. Place the mixed leaves in a wide, shallow salad dish, INGREDIENTS arrange the sliced beets on top, and scatter over the (FOR THE DRESSING) sliced prunes and walnuts. 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 6. Remove the hot cheese slices from the oven, and 4 tbsp California Prune juice using a lifter, carefully place them on top of the salad. 1 tbsp lemon juice 7. Drizzle with the dressing and serve immediately. 2 tbsp orange juice 8. This salad is delicious with a side of barley couscous Salt and pepper, to taste or quinoa.
CPB Nutrition Advisory Panel (NAP) Correction: O ur June newsletter outlined the NAP aims and listed members. In addition to the 2 new members announced, we also welcome Connie Weaver as a new member to join the NAP from 2019.
www.californiaprunes.co.uk PAGE THREE HCP-0919-UK53
: t - s n i e 6
e g t i d i s 0 i y , - p s n s a t n i
8 a
o /
b o v 1 i n c i y o e e e
t t c i t R l o n c r n i a w e
a t o a O t d c
t ( / u u u b u
i
n
a c l fi s s r i t f f N l o a g s e e t
i y I o p c e m
y a
n d o k h , : h i i d r s
a s e t
o n t 3 i n i , s b l e
o e r e t o fl e s
c
a f e m e . n i i
n h g r 9 e e e a t e n r s e m d e i m r t i p i a 1 h a
r t s
o n - o
u u r r i v p w s m i t
l
’ t n f e 9 n s i p w u o o i d o
f c
d h l 2 l m o o b t c e a o n s l V n o
i
a g 0 u r a z , e e r c o l a t r i - i s f
d i d
i v n l c e p e n t f 0 u p
n w r / e e o m
t n c - 9 i h a o 2 e t t d o
t o t D i n 1 p i
a h e g t P
w . u n m n t
- . t r e i i ] u t i o c l t a e r o e l f s n n 6 0 o r
i n 9 n e s
u h d e i t r a n
0 4
e c m p e 1 r w
r - . c d
a N
r e o 0 w
i l e 0
e a n m s 8 t m , u n z
n 9 d t h e u v 2 - i a h m 1 a z u i s
s a C / / t c e 0
l o
t n s
fl
. l n r
r s a s s R e s 7 t 2 ) l o / n n r a r h p o
n h g i n
0 b 0 P 9 n O n e
. a . v
c / p e
e g e
e a o
e d 1 n e
8 r 8 g 8 a - w d . , g h n a n c h p m o
i i 1 d 2 /
t a n 0 t
8 t n
9 a p
p i w s
h s 0
0 3 r e r ’ e n a s 2 s 1 y o c d
t u m t l z l 2 - s A s o 9 r a l m u 0 d . e
n l n
e f z g u o f a - .
7 0 l e i s u p a o v o a . n n l r p c s n i s 1 r - 2 p m 1
/ f e e m
. t t e
e p j n i a r e a o
0 u 0 d n
w / t d l v l l n D 0 l p - c fi
h o d o P n - d r s e
9 t o p i g c 1 ( a 1 f i
e e
e a c / w o t
i h n s e a n 8 r / / e 0 d n n [ n s r g s b r e t C s s i 0 d
3 k
r e r
i P e e n e w s d e u i . a r l
f u e 1 f i
9 r o t d t o l u c . r
f
f . 8 b o u . m i . o g
s a i 1
0
o d 0 e o t e l n
2 r
o 0 C o s r e o b n n 0 1
s f n 1 t n
. i i . a t r i d 0 s a 2
c
d / ) 4 h c o E t o . c o 0 s z /
y e s t r p d 4 g t 9 / n e 0 a s r b e s z b - a h : 1
r
f h
t
f b fi 1 n a 4 / e f s f n e f
1 t o f s o
- h y m
. h , g k c - 0 o e e p l a o i e b 9 t
n
s
8
t r r t s i 9 i l d r r 9 w s l o s s 3 t n t t e u a 1 o
b n r m 1 a r . u n e ; d a c e r n h v i w
r 9 0 e a
c e / u i t e 0 m n
,
a 2 a - / e o e t o p /
1 k n f h : f r k 2 b o g s i
9 t 2 - 2
c r e / d
i
r h s s c a 0 o - a t . /
1 i e e a 8 g 1 l P e a t b e / p
e 9 e n
- n a t : e n u r r t a n 2 n P i h e e s 3 m n C 9 t c d o ( m o u o h M
o n q r u
0 .
i i r n p l 3 h 2 h ) r t u l - J o n T t . h e
e
t H h
o i .
a p
t o , r l 0 s 1
1 t t i . o t u b v f 0 t
- P
l r - i e r b i 1
r p a 1 h
0 g b o e e n 1 t u l e e
a
t _ t 0 i a i : u s ,
n n 0 c r i t P i h n k n r e r a p c r .
r o 2 s a 9 w
i o t e o 2 o n a o T h t p c
e e n r 8
( t t
P r e n t 1
e n
t / . e ) d i b e f
v r
-
r
s 2 o / s c n . s m n o p e b ) 0 9 : i n o o a r e I 6 o m
0 o o c
e u 1 s e u 9 s 7 ) s 4 C 1 o e l t p d s z e
0 f t d
h a p s i 0 l o l i e ) 1 h i - 1 0 0 b p z p a a s
t e r a - l
o t f
p 4 z p n 9
t 8 0 e l
v
2 n e o : r d n 8 ; ( z d o / a p t p f G u r o 1
u 1 2 p e c
i c d h e e o t . r
( 1 9 o
n n u
o i
h T o u r s 0
g B a R . C ,
b
r p d n 0 S p d
w i o s 2
n ( h a / - N 9 o
i e d c ( d t
o O
o a t
d . e / w c 2
z e k 1 t e f n t n n i , m n u 8 s t B m 3 r
r r 1 e
n h o 0 a w s s i a
s u i 2 B o 9
s / m l h r a o P v e s 2 s i u . / e
t t t O I 0 e l 0 : t o m a
p
i c l e
j .
, e t 5 d h z u W . c c g l e b l d p d 1
h n e r s . l d s z r r n 3 g 3 t a i m e s k
u N i a fi k n n i e a
d t e f 0 A r
n u i i u . 0 S e e
s
i e d o a , f P r
b , , d A h
a
J , r 1 z f c r r
u r t
r d d
. n
s a ,
w E , :
/ . 9 o B z m I
n E a t d
d e
n e r t
e u a S
) l d e f P g i 1
)
1 n i u l i
a d s o y : a i l
r _ p e / n 9 o m
m r 9 o v c 0 m
o a t n g m e a a h
s o o a n e w 1 n i r d . e i c 1 t F 2 c a l g b n n t - h e i d t
l t t V d r i . 0 e t l
a e
g
s u a .
0 e b e e , y o n
e a t r , c n n C a h
S 2
e L / a - s r
t 2 r , n
e r ( e d s n D
d l a F a m ( , s n
t
r w v l / g i
t
3 i , c
o S i h u s r / ,
e i d i S o
e p
e n n a c : s a
l s n 9 J l
K t i M K r . o i f
d
e k i
s
w n l v , d p a n o e n i u 0 u l d r r a r t n h u n h i p n h l l r a a t 1 A r n n p e e
s 1 a
d t e t a a k J w
. k _ . i o e u u a i u a t u h n i
t u f t b d t f i s g a n c M 0 r r M
m e S h i f i N o a o y c
e n
r m s ? e r d c f
e C a r 1 , i a
i h r 6
i v a t e e e s a
/ n t h o r l P p e e
s s 9 P l i f m t d
9 p
a
l s n s P n v
a u g , ,
i s a m o c b 1 s , v r s s a 4 n o m o o t n S d n - d S t d l
a e n e
o
e d s o u o n l 0 o o a a G r t f I . B n t i 8 f P o n
p r
o
i u i t o y o f
c i r i , H p r p i 5 e
a 2 a H u s t o u s
, t o t t
t C
E e
e
e 3
p v
n , 0
, i o t 0 r s A r m a d ) a o
i d b K l b v u - e y C J s 9 : e
e / r a
p e i p n
c n 9 M . e / u n e S s F 1 v
e u e a i h l i : B
r r o i R r I
h m a l e 1 t o s d a
n a g f 0 - a n S e - e h S t l n
u
u e l i
c / u r r 0 s , t e p , f t e l u P a F h r n v d u t t u
r .
E l t h a e 0 i o 2 q n E
t s E o e e
n , t
e c i e
( s a l 8 c a O e
a
e s 9 i K i r
J e h y m I a q
V I y h
a r
D 9
r
n u ,
2
o e
3 R e l f , , , i G e a r e
F w m n t
o e e P l 1 h r
l r 0 , v
m 3 D e n u f h 3 9 , ) - n
. s e
n
n a h z
o c c u o ) o o a n r
o B P i 1 a t N r t e 9 7 n w . i i 0 e d z r o
F
r s F - a r 9
t
i t
c p , r 1 2 h e i ,
1 n s o r b r o u m e
w a 8
: m G 1 e i r f e , J h n
o e i m 0 0 u o i a
K d r t w k , l t
o a d u 1 f w 0 - i c r 9
o i n z o l v
2 c e C n u e
. s
v e n g
n K ( 0 c 2 r 1 l
r . 1
o d o
t a n a d e - r ( a a
g b ) a r N i
a a . w r 0 a
n n w n t 0
s n r : d o r h V , 2 d H i 9
p r k t P t N 6
n o f , P e o s c e
u 2
e
o , i a . 1 o
a s i , l 1
e u f n
n z 9 s s a e
H n e t f - w n s i i 8 e . S C P
n b m h b e i o M o
i . t 4 n n l
e a
o
i .
7
n l 2 m , G , r I h ; e t O o n
t m n o 5
u d :
, m a i o 2 i a y u . o R a L 0 s , r h s a t n r e e 9
o r t J 3
n
t J
z r w 0 a e h e . t e
R t e p e c a
C n d o
c , - 0 l
a u z z m r c s s , t e
, i u h d / . e e t f n z g K 1 J 1 p o o è t n f W s b
t s e s
r
e o , _ n b z N / a n i a , o y u
d F n 0 n t E s t a u o i J
e l r m r s
e i u s m
n n a
-
h n i u
B u s P e s n d
, i u i t s
s i r g k u n i a r d (
o n t d m e d i
v m r
m l t
e s o o s 9 s : c e . r k o r M , j o c e B r a e t n a
/ p u
o a n . o j
s o n , 1 P u , c m
t o i K . n o e l r O o D 9 3 r r c , O e
a
e N
d
0
l c
k , e
, e f N e a , o t a o R l . S
o 9 - o F e
m 1 2 g a e m
l
, i K m s
c o
n n p , p p B n N p
b m 0 l C f h n i
l r i c
l n e e 0 r o
h , y a o p i p o n i s o
A 1 s m d r o n l
. e d , o n t D v e r l o u n i e e s R 2 s n
o w t
d a e l l
b o n i
u
t 0 a t e ) u a h s r u r e S l s t S n r d e v
a i s n s n f J l r a c 1 e 7 h c y a
f d a p t C v a w h
e a , e /
o
a o a e o s r u . k s 1 E
O c e o E a h
o t H g u ) n r 1
e y f h r o K a l u , n a
0 e H y r J A
_ s
a . i k e D , r r
c
9 e o b
a
t a C
, , , t
u
s h f 2 e o S t e h P e n M A a . .
s 1 I K ( n
p e Y
g n
T
,
i s B B ,
- t , n
, b r C e
e o w , o i r o i o e N i i n
m n n o T e h e V i i 9 n
t w 3 i
K o
r
r e a n
a d d t n D o t I d r r p
p e
2 r t h e m i n E r i / e l p
e
e s a n n n W s o s / c w
u n e 0 o r a
a r c : g b h
l t a a n o . n - a o a m e i i t e m e C s v t R m r k e r l
p i l f i y t s l 0 w . c u o n l m m
p D o u h f d l e e l ) s h i s s l j j p a a r - m t 2 E @ t t o
t a e o r l r n t
a o d
9 t e o o u u N i u n P n F t V G A W I A A G S A m p p 1 h V h ( S h r
n
p e r o
t o t r
e i . s E c n
o i c u u
...... 0 . e
r R 6 2 n a f r 5 4 3 F h W 1 W 8 7 1 9
o o