The California Prune Board has advocated the benefits of prunes to help adults achieve the recommended amount of fibre per day.
Statistics from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey reveal fibre intake among all age groups remains below current recommendations, with UK adults aged 19-64 achieving just 18 g per day, less than two-thirds the recommended 30 g per day for adults.
Between three to five prunes, or 28 g, of prunes is considered one of the recommended 5-a-day. Furthermore, 100 g of prunes contain 7g of fibre.
With a fibre-rich diet associated with a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and bowel cancer, and growing consumer interest in digestive health, prunes hold potential for both food manufacturers and retailers, the company says.
Esther Ritson-Elliott, Director of International Marketing and Communications for the CPB, explains: “We can help the food sector and retailers appeal to those consumers who are looking for easy ways to boost their fibre intake. As well as fibre, California Prunes also contain a range of vitamins and minerals that play a role in maintaining a healthy immune system and bones, including vitamin B6, copper, vitamin K and manganese.”
As well as helping to increase fibre levels in food manufacture, California Prunes can be used in commercial bakery as a substitute for sugar or fat. Previous research carried out by the CPB has shown that the use of California Prunes as a partial fat replacement can cut fat content by at least 24% in baked goods.