Eating Prunes Aids Weight Loss

Eating prunes might help aid weight loss, according to a new study.

While eating dried fruit is not usually recommended for weight loss, new research reveals that it might boost feelings of fullness.

Researchers of the University of Liverpool studied 100 overweight and obese participants with low fiber intake to see whether eating prunes helped weight loss over a 12-week period.

Researchers also wanted to see if low fiber consumers could tolerate eating substantial numbers of prunes in their diet, and if eating prunes could help reduce their appetite.

Researchers divided participants into two groups: those who were instructed to eat prunes every day (140g a day for women and 171g a day for men) and those who were given recommendations on healthy snacks over the period of active weight loss.

The findings revealed that participants who ate prunes lost two kilograms in weight and shed centimeters off their waists. However, those given recommendations on healthy snacks lost only 1.5 kilograms in weight and 1.7 cm from their waists.

"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," lead researcher Dr. Jo Harrold of the University of Liverpool said in a news release.

"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," Professor Jason Halford, of Experimental Psychology and Director of the University's Human Ingestive Behavior Laboratory, said in a statement.