Scientists from Pennsylvania State University (USA) found that eating prunes every day can ameliorate the effects of bone loss by reducing certain signs of inflammation in postmenopausal women. results published In the Journal of Nutrition (JN).
183 women aged 55-75 participated in the 12-month study. All subjects were in the postmenopausal period. This is the name of the period in which the climacteric syndrome manifests itself, which lasts 5-8 years after the onset of menopause. Participants were divided into three groups. The first and second consumed 50 and 100 grams of prunes per day, respectively. The third group served as the control group. Throughout the study, subjects were asked to record the amount and duration of prune consumption in special journals to assess the quality of compliance with recommendations.
Before the beginning and at the end of the experiment, volunteers measured levels of markers of immunity, inflammation and oxidative stress in their blood. It was noted that the participants consumed calcium and vitamin D3 supplements as well as prunes.
Eating 50-100 grams of prunes per day led to a decrease in the secretion of specific pro-inflammatory (inflammation-causing) cytokine protein molecules in the blood of participants in the first and second groups. These include IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 (interleukin), as well as TNF-α, also called tumor necrosis factor. Such changes activate signaling pathways responsible for reducing bone loss.
Scientists have suggested that this effect may be due to the abundance of bioactive compounds in prunes, including vitamins, minerals, phenolic acids and polyphenols (specific plant compounds), that can suppress the secretion of bone-damaging inflammatory cytokines.
Previous scientists warned About the health effects of coconut oil.