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Snack selection influences nutrient intake, metabolism and bowel habits in adult women
Author(s) -
Howarth Leslie S.,
Petrisko Yumi,
FurchnerEvanson Allison,
Nemoseck Tricia,
Kern Mark
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.545.9
Subject(s) - food science , niacin , dried fruit , riboflavin , nutrient , medicine , crossover study , snacking , zoology , chemistry , obesity , biology , placebo , alternative medicine , organic chemistry , pathology
Since appropriate snacking may promote a healthy body weight and serve as an important contributor to a healthful diet for women, identification of suitable foods for inclusion between meals is essential. We investigated the influence of the incorporation of 100 kcal servings of snacks of dried plums versus commercial low‐fat cookies twice daily for two weeks with a two‐week washout period between trials on total energy and nutrient intake, biochemical parameters, and bowel habits. Twenty‐nine women aged 25‐54 years with a BMI between 24‐35 kg/m 2 participated in a randomized, cross‐over fashion. Incorporation of dried plums or cookies into the diet did not alter energy intake or body weight; however, dried plums promoted greater (p=0.05) intake of fiber, potassium, riboflavin, niacin, and calcium compared to cookies. Total fat intake tended (p=0.094) to drop with dried plum consumption as did cholesterol intake (p=0.098). Plasma TG concentration increased (p=0.05) after consumption of cookies and was lower (p=0.05) for dried plums versus cookies. Dried plums promoted a softer (p=0.05) stool consistency compared to baseline and cookies. Subjects reported more complete evacuation of bowels (p=0.05) with dried plums versus cookies. These results suggest that dried plums improve blood lipids and diet quality and soften stools in comparison to a commercially processed snack. Supported by the CA Dried Plum Board.