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.
