Insights & Discussion
Australian native plums contain phytochemicals that exhibit health benefits such as cardiovascular and liver protection.
The research review examined five varieties of Australian native plums: Terminalia ferdinandiana (Kakadu Plum), Davidsonia jerseyana (Davidsons Plum), Podocarpus elatus (Illawarra Plum), Pleiogynium timorense (Burdekin Plum) and Parinari nonda (Nonda Plum). The paper explored each plum variety in terms of their ideal growing conditions, their phytochemical composition, their sensory properties, and their potential applications. Extracts from different parts of the fruit including the peel, pulp, and seeds were analyzed for their capabilities to interact with cell signaling pathways, scavenge free radicals, and inhibit harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
The findings suggest that Australian native plums not only have substantial nutritional value - being high in dietary fiber and low in fat - but they also offer a multitude of health benefits. Notably, these fruits exhibit cardiovascular and liver-protective properties. Moreover, aside from their nutritional and health value, these native plums also display impressive economic potential. For instance, the pulp of these plums could be incorporated into food and beverage creation while their wood could be utilized for furniture making.
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Eating plums, especially dried plums, significantly lowers LDL levels and total cholesterol levels, particularly in adults with existing health issues.
2024 Food Science & Nutrition The effects of plum products consumption on lipid profile in adults: A systematic review and dose–response meta‐analysis Heydarian A, Tahvilian N, Asbaghi O, Cheshmeh S, Nadery M, Aryaeian N
Systematic Review Cholesterol LDL Plum
The researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis using keyword searches on databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science up to a specified date. They were on a mission to find eligible trials that would help ascertain the benefits of plum consumption on adult lipid profiles.
In their observation of the collected data, they concluded that plum, specifically dried plum consumption, had a noteworthy impact on LDL levels, mainly when the subjects were in an unhealthy state. This consumption led to a significant decrease in total cholesterol levels in the unhealthy subjects. Nevertheless, the study couldn't establish major changes in triglycerides and HDL concentrations as a result of the plum consumption.
Plums, which are rich in bioactive compounds, antioxidants, and vitamins, can help maintain blood glucose level, bone health, heart health and even treat certain cancers.
2023 International Journal of Food Properties A comprehensive review on the availability of bioactive compounds, phytochemicals, and antioxidant potential of plum ( Prunus Domestica ) Ayub H, Nadeem M, Mohsin M, Ambreen S, Khan F, Oranab S, et al.
Review Article Antioxidant Blood Sugar Bone Health
The research explored the health benefits and medicinal effects of plums, a common fruit belonging to the Prunus genus. The study focused not only on their consumption as a food source but also their uses in beverages. Special attention was given to the polyphenolic compounds, bioactive compounds, and antioxidants inherent in plums, such as phenolic acids, anthocyanins, carotenoids, and various organic acids, alongside an array of necessary minerals and vitamins.
Apart from detailing traditional nutritional components, the study analyzed the unique constituents of plums like caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid and other phenolic compounds which contribute to its antioxidant property. The broader health benefits provided by these compounds spanning bone health, cardiovascular health, blood glucose stabilization, and potential impacts on gastrointestinal diseases were studied, with a particular emphasis on their possible role in the prevention and treatment of heart disease and specific kinds of cancer: lung and oral. The role of plums' low fat and high dietary fibre content in heart disease prevention was of special focus.
Plums, specifically European and Japanese species, exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may be used for the treatment and prevention of cancer.
2022 Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy Cancer protective effects of plums: A systematic review Bahrin AA, Moshawih S, Dhaliwal JS, Kanakal MM, Khan A, Lee KS, et al.
Systematic Review Anti-Inflammatory Antioxidant Cancer
Methodology: The researchers conducted a systematic review of existing literature related to the effects of plums on cancer prevention and treatment. They used a variety of databases including Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, Medxriv, and the Cochrane Library, considering studies published from the inception of each database till July 2021. The validity of the studies was checked using the CONSORT checklist tool for quality assessment. A total of 6639 studies were initially scrutinized, narrowing down to 54 relevant studies for in-depth review.
Discussion of Results: The analysis of the chosen studies revealed high antioxidant content in plum extracts. While the majority of the research supporting these findings were conducted in vitro, a smaller quantity of clinical studies involved in vivo testing. The promising results gathered from these studies suggest the potential of plums being used both for treatment and preventing cancer, especially due to their antioxidative properties.
A daily intake of 50 grams of prunes can maintain hip bone density in postmenopausal women, potentially reducing hip fracture risks.
2022 The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition Prunes preserve hip bone mineral density in a 12-month randomized controlled trial in postmenopausal women: the Prune Study De Souza MJ, Strock NCA, Williams NI, Lee H, Koltun KJ, Rogers C, et al.
Randomised Controlled Trial Bone Mineral Density Plum
This research was conducted through a single-center, parallel-arm, randomized controlled trial over the course of a year. Postmenopausal women were randomly assigned into three groups - control, 50 grams of prunes, and 100 grams of prunes - and their bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed every 6 months. Secondary measurements included an observation of changes in bone biomarkers. Compliance and retention of participants were high particularly at the 50-gram dosage.
In assessing the effects of prunes on bone health, the findings showed a distinct interaction between the amount of prune intake and bone mineral density in the hip region. Specifically, it indicated that consumption of 50 grams of prunes daily led to a preservation of hip BMD after 6 months, an effect which was still apparent after a year. Despite a higher dropout rate and less impact on BMD, the 100-gram prune group, when combined with the 50-gram group, presented stability in the FRAX score, which measures the risk of hip fractures.
Prunes demonstrate potential as a dietary intervention to protect against, prevent and even reverse bone loss in osteoporosis, particularly in postmenopausal women.
2022 Advances in Nutrition The Role of Prunes in Modulating Inflammatory Pathways to Improve Bone Health in Postmenopausal Women Damani JJ, De Souza MJ, VanEvery HL, Strock NCA, Rogers CJ
Systematic Review Bone Health Bone Loss Plum
Using sixteen preclinical trials with in vivo rodent models of osteopenia or osteoporosis, researchers investigated the effect of dietary supplementation with prunes. The research shows prunes' osteoprotective capabilities, preventing, reversing bone loss, and exerting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The prunes or their polyphenol extracts showed properties that decreased malondialdehyde and NO secretion and increased antioxidant enzyme expression. Two clinical trials further investigated prune consumption (50-100 g/d for 6-12 months) on bone health in postmenopausal women.
The results of the studies revealed the promising outcome of improved bone mineral density and bone biomarker due to the consumption of dried plums. However, the effect of prunes on oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators remains less understood. The study hence emphasizes the need to investigate prunes' role in modulating the inflammatory and immune pathways related to bone health.
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