Research
by the University of Liverpool has found that eating prunes as part of a weight
control diet can improve weight loss.
Consumption
of dried fruit is not readily recommended during weight loss despite evidence
it enhances feelings of fullness.
However,
a study by the University's Institute of Psychology, Health and Society of 100
overweight and obese low fibre consumers tested whether eating prunes as part
of a weight loss diet helped or hindered weight control over a 12-week period.
It
also examined if low fibre consumers could tolerate eating substantial numbers
of prunes in their diet, and if eating prunes had a beneficial effect on
appetite.
To
assess the effects of prunes on weight and appetite, participants in the study
were divided into two groups – those who ate prunes every day (140g a day for
women and 171g a day for men) and those who were given advice on healthy snacks
over the period of active weight loss.
The
researchers found that members of the group which ate prunes as part of a
healthy life-style diet lost 2kg in weight and shed 2.5cm off their waists.
However, the people in the group which was given advice on healthy snacks lost
only 1.5kg in weight and 1.7cm from their waists.
The
study also found that the prune eaters experienced greater weight loss during
the last four weeks of the study. After week eight, participants showed
increased feelings of fullness in the prune group. Moreover, despite the high
daily doses, prunes were well tolerated.
Liverpool
psychologist, Dr Jo Harrold who led the research, said: "These are the
first data to demonstrate both weight loss and no negative side effects when
consuming prunes as part of a weight management diet. Indeed in the long term
they may be beneficial to dieters by tackling hunger and satisfying appetite; a
major challenge when you are trying to maintain weight loss."
Professor
Jason Halford, Professor of Experimental Psychology and Director of the
University's Human Ingestive Behaviour Laboratory, added: "Maintaining a
healthy diet is challenging. Along with fresh fruit and vegetables, dried fruit
can provide a useful and convenient addition to the diet, especially as
controlling appetite during dieting can be tough."
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