From thrones to bones, the scoop on prunes and bone health.
Below, I am sharing a video from my Youtube channel. Once you watch it, I put the smart money on you eating a prune. ;)
Also, I hope you subscribe to my Youtube channel. I plan on posting more quirky (but factual) health and wellness videos there. I also started uploading the Causes or Cures podcast to Youtube since several folks asked me to do that. No, they aren’t “video versions” but the audio is clear, interesting and factual. (A huge shoutout to all the guests that come on Causes or Cures to make the podcast a success. I really appreciate it, and I know my listener do too!)
Okay, back to prunes and bone health…
In the video, I will discuss why prunes are bone health warriors, particularly for menopausal women. One comment I’ve received a few times is, “But prunes have too much sugar!”
I wanted to address this.
Prunes are not high on the glycemic index. The glycemic index is what I follow to determine how a food will impact your blood sugar. The glycemic index measures how quickly a carbohydrate-containing food raises blood sugar levels. Foods with lower GI are believed to cause a slower and steadier increase in blood sugar levels compared to foods with a higher GI.
Prunes have a GI of around 29-41, depending on factors such as variety, ripeness and processing. This places them in the low to moderate GI range. The drying of prunes “may” concentrate the natural sugars in the fruits but prunes also contain fiber, which helps slow the release of sugars in the bloodstream, contributing to a lower GI
Sure, if you have trouble controlling your blood sugar or have pre-Type 2 Diabetes or Type 2 Diabetes, watch your sugar intake. But based on the glycemic index of prunes and the amount of fiber they contain, I don’t think they will impact your sugar too much. I mean, don’t eat a whole box of prunes, but 3 a day? I think it will do more good than harm.
Enjoy the video and let me know what you think about prunes and bone health in the comments: