They were always called prunes, but a market research study found that when they were renamed dried plums, sales increased. Indications were that women were more likely to purchase a product named dried plums than named prunes. The title, California Dried Plums, came from the fact that most of the produce is grown in California. An interesting study came out about a year ago. There is relation between bone health and eating dried plums, even indication of bone-loss reversal. The study was done with subjects eating 100 grams a day. That’s about 12 dried prunes a day. Not bad if you consider four at breakfast, four at lunch or as a snack, and four at dinner.
Research has discovered that dried plums prevented bone loss in an animal model of postmenopausal osteoporosis and helped restore bone mass after the loss had already occurred in the animals. A small clinical trial with postmenopausal women not on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) discovered that women who ate about 12 dried plums daily experienced an increase in biomarkers that measure the rate of bone formation. Another 12-month study with postmenopausal women assessed both bone biomarkers and bone mineral density. Compared to the control food/fruit, 10-12 dried plums significantly increased bone mineral density in the spine and forearm. In addition, research has also discovered that dried plums prevent age-related bone loss in a mouse model.
Fact Links:
Florida State University Research Professor, Dr. Bahram Arjmandi’s clinical study.
Video: Dr. Arjmandi discusses his findings
GreenMedInfo Research: Dried Plum & Bone Mineral Density
Website: California Dried Plum Association
Having issues with a vitamin D3 deficiency, I find the info about plums very interesting and something I will try! Do you have any suggestions of healthy things to eat or take in order to eliminate hot flashes? I currently am on HRT due to the amount and intensity of hot flashes I have. They seem to happen at the most inappropriate times! 🙂
Hi Lana,
Thank you so much for your comment, and for opening this dialog. Yes, I have several thoughts about eliminating hot flashes. As recommended, I have to tell you I am not a doctor or medical advisor in any way, shape , or form! However, I went back to school for science to understand how the body works, and how things we eat, and apply to our bodies interact with our cells. That said, here is what I have learned about hot flashes. One of the best things to do is to reduce body fat, because estrogen is stored in fat. If you have more than a normal BMI (Body Mass Index) you could be storing more estrogen than needed. Try to reduce, if not eliminate meat and dairy. Meat and dairy are saturated with hormones, and the last thing you need is more! Try to eliminate or reduce processed sugar, because processed sugar promotes body fat…which is storing more estrogen, and also insulating the body promoting more heat retention. So, to any woman, I would recommend achieving optimum body weight before the menopause years. Then reducing or eliminating meat, dairy and processed sugar.
I also want to recommend a book by Margie King titled; Nourishing Menopause: The Whole-Food Guide to Balancing Your Hormones Naturally. You can find it on Amazon.
Margie is a retired corporate attorney who left the world of business to pursue nutrition research and write about it. Her website: http://www.NourishingMenopause.com.
I hope this is helpful.
With friendship,
Phebe
Great Info Phebe! Thanks for sharing :). Lots of Love!
Hi Nicole,
Love, Love and Always Love ~~~ Phebe
Do you have any recommendations that you can add to Lana’s comment?
But many clinicians and researchers have been finding that dried plums and sunshine offer a blend of nutrients that naturally promote bone density and prevent fractures.
Hi Jeremy,
Thanks for sharing this comment. Dried Plums and sunshine sound like a wonderful combination for promoting bone density and getting that pathway of bone break-down and regeneration going.
~~Phebe