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The joke has always been that you know you are getting old when you start needing to eat prunes. Every young child has seen an older relative taking the dried plums out of a jar , or drinking the thick dark liquid prune juice in the back of the fridge. The truth is prunes are a fruit full of nutritional value. Who would have thought, grandma is right about everything.

Prunes have always been known for keeping humans well, regular. My grandmother probably said it best, "A bowel movement daily keeps you in tune. If you haven't had yours, you should eat a prune!" I thought it was funny until she imparted her wisdom on my prom date.

In addition to the natural regularity' properties the prune has always been known for, studies show that this fruit has more nutritional properties just being discovered.

A recent study at the University of Illinois, by Professor George Fahey and doctoral student Cheryl Dikeman, found that plums and prunes (dried plums) offer a compound that promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the large intestine. Scientists can now research the best ways to prepare prunes to get the most nutrition out of this new component.

Currently the most talked about study on the nutritional benefits of prunes is that of Florida State University Professor Bahram H. Arjmandi. Professor Arjmandi is a nationally renowned expert on the effects of "functional foods" on chronic diseases. His study has revealed a completely new benefit from prunes, they "restored lost bone in animal models of osteoporosis, and improved biomarkers linked to bone formation in postmenopausal women."

One of the worst side effects of menopause is calcium deficiency, leading to bone loss and fractures. Scientists have been studying for years to find the right drug combination to replace the calcium as fast a postmenopausal woman's body loses it. The hope is that this discovery could save postmenopausal women thousands on calcium replacement treatments and drugs.

While the scientific world conducts more studies and research on the nutritional benefits of prunes, I will listen to my grandmother's words... and that awful prom night!

Learn more about this author, Christine Cameron.
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