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Health Benefits of the Prune
 
Prunes
are a good source of fiber and have long been recognized as a
nutrient-rich fruit with multiple health benefits. But according to a
recent study from Tufts University in Boston, prunes may also help slow
the aging process in both the body and brain. The study ranked the
antioxidant value of commonly eaten fruits and vegetables using an
analysis called ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbency Capacity). Prunes
topped the list with more than twice the antioxidant capacity as other
high-scoring fruits such as blueberries and raisins.
ORAC
is a test tube analysis that measures the total antioxidant power of
foods and other chemical substances. Early findings suggest that this
same antioxidant activity translates to animals, protecting cells and
their components from oxidative damage.
"If
these studies are borne out in further research, young and middle-aged
people may be able to reduce their risk of diseases of aging -
including senility - simply by adding high antioxidant foods to their
diets," said Floyd P. Horn, administrator of the USDA's Agricultural
Research Service, in Beltsville, Md.
The
role of fruits and vegetables in health promotion and disease
prevention may also be related to nutrients, other than the vitamins,
minerals and fiber, found in these plant-based foods. In addition to
well-known antioxidant vitamins A and C and beta-carotene, there are
over 1,800 other biologically active compounds that have been
identified in foods. Research is just beginning to identify these
nutrients and to describe their activity in the human body; however,
many are believed to offer the protective benefits of
antioxidants.
At
The Wholefood Farmacy, prunes can found in Phi Plus and DetoxiPhi,
which are two of the most popular foods amongst the family of Wholefood
Farmacy Wholesale Club Members.
Thank you to the Wholefood Farmacy for this article, a source of delicious organic snacks for your family.
$3 for Nutrition Questions, Comments Always Free!
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