Eating prunes can help you lose weight

Research by the University of Liverpool has found that eating prunes as part of a weight control diet can improve weight loss.

Eating prunes as part of a healthy lifestyle

A study over a 12-week period examined whether low fibre consumers could tolerate eating substantial numbers of prunes in their diet, and if it had a beneficial effect on appetite.

Study participants 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.

Prunes tackle hunger and satisfy appetite

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."

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