title: Systematic review: the effect of prunes on gastrointestinal function.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prunes (dried plums) are high in fibre and are perceived to promote healthy gastrointestinal (GI) function.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effect of prunes on GI function through a systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen electronic databases were searched, a hand search was performed and key opinion leaders were contacted. RCTs investigating the effect of prunes on GI function were included. Two reviewers independently screened relevant articles, extracted data and assessed risk of bias.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four trials met the inclusion criteria, one in constipation and three in non-constipated subjects. In constipation, 3 weeks of prune consumption (100 g/day) improved stool frequency (3.5 vs. 2.8 CSBM per week, P = 0.006) and stool consistency (3.2 vs. 2.8 on Bristol stool form scale, P = 0.02) compared with psyllium (22 g/day). In non-constipated subjects, prunes softened stool consistency in one trial and increased stool weight (628 g vs. 514 g/72 h wet weight, P = 0.001) in another trial, compared with control. No trials found differences in GI symptoms between prunes and comparator. Meta-analysis was not appropriate due to heterogeneity in populations and methods. Two of the trials were limited by unclear risk of bias.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In constipation, prunes appear superior to psyllium for improving stool frequency and consistency, however, the evidence for other outcomes and the effects in non-constipated subjects is weak. Although prunes may be a promising intervention for the management of constipation and increasing stool weight, this needs to be confirmed by further rigorous research.
authors.affiliation: Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences Division, School of Medicine, King's College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lever
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Emery
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Whelan
mesh_terms: D001628:Beverages; D003248:Constipation / Q000178:diet therapy*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005243:Feces; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D027861:Prunus; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D004043:Dietary Fiber; D010936:Plant Extracts