Pioneer Study Reveals Dried Plums Effective in the Reduction of Heart Disease

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
An animal study published in the British Journal of Nutrition this
month suggests that eating dried plums slows the development of
atherosclerosis. An inflammatory disease, better known as "hardening
of the arteries," it is the condition that leads to cardiovascular
disease and stroke, and is the leading cause of death in our society.

Although there are numerous studies of the effects of fruit and
vegetables on serum cholesterol, few exist on the reduction of
atherosclerosis. In fact, this study appears to be the first examining
the effect of a fruit, in this case dried plums, on this type of
disease.

"This study breaks new ground by showing a significant reduction
in the development of a major inflammatory disease," says lead
researcher Dan Gallaher, Ph.D, who is professor of nutrition in the
Department of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of
Minnesota. "It also strengthens the notion of eating fruit, in
particular dried plums, as a preventive measure against heart
disease."

Dried plums, often touted for their digestive health benefits, are
emerging as a heart-healthy addition to any diet. Previous studies
show that dried plums reduce LDL cholesterol in humans and that the
fiber pectin found in dried plums reduces cholesterol in animals. The
versatile dried fruit has many nutrients, including potassium,
magnesium and boron, as well as a high antioxidant score, giving dried
plums numerous health benefits from helping maintain desirable blood
sugar levels to possibly reducing skin wrinkles.

"I consider dried plums a superfruit because of their unique
health benefits and also because they're super-affordable, delicious
and fit easily into a busy lifestyle," says Dave Grotto, RD, LDN,
author of "101 Foods That Could Save Your Life."

The study was conducted over a 5-month period on a strain of mice
that develop atherosclerosis more quickly than normal. The amount of
dried plum powder shown to significantly reduce the area of
atherosclerotic lesion was equivalent to eating 10 to 12 dried plums a
day in a human diet. The study revealed a reduction in the area of
atherosclerotic lesions in the entire arterial system as well as the
aortic arch.

This study was sponsored by the California Dried Plum Board (CDPB)
and the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station. Dan Gallaher serves
on the Nutrition Advisory Board for the CDPB, for which he receives an
annual honorarium. Cynthia Gallaher conducted all the experimental
work. Dan Gallaher designed the experiment and wrote the manuscript.
Dave Grotto, RD, LDN, is a paid spokesperson for the CDPB.

California Dried Plum Board (CDPB): The CDPB represents 800 dried
plum growers and 21 dried plum packers under the authority of the
California Secretary of Food and Agriculture. Revered as part of
California's rich history, the dried plum remains a vital player in
California's economic wealth. California produces 99 percent of the
United States' and 60 percent of the world's supply of dried plums, a
convenient, healthy snack for today's busy lifestyle. For more
information, please visit www.californiadriedplums.org and
www.tummywise.com.

For California Dried Plum Board (Media)
Shereen Mahnami, Ketchum, 415-984-6159
Shereen.Mahnami@ketchum.com
Janeen Romley, Ketchum, 415-984-6216
Janeen.Romley@ketchum.com
Kathleen Bertolani, Ketchum, 415-984-6121
Kathleen.Bertolani@ketchum.com
Rich Peterson, Executive Director, CDPB, 916-565-6232
rpeterson@cdpb.org

Copyright Business Wire 2008