“Purple Power” Is a Secret Gut HERO?

Last week, I told you about an important way to boost mood and sleep: by improving your gut microbiome.

One simple way to do that is with probiotics.

But it’s not the only solution.

A recent study identified a NEW way to improve your gut microbiome using “purple power.” And while it could help ANYONE, it may work especially well for postmenopausal women.

Ovarian hormones decline in women in menopause. That drop can wreak havoc on their gut microbiome.

Then the domino effect can trigger other issues, like increased body fat, decreased metabolism, and even insulin resistance.

Well, previous studies have stumbled onto an unlikely gut hero.

It turns out that eating prunes is especially beneficial for postmenopausal women. And researchers wanted to find out why.

For the new study, postmenopausal volunteers were divided into three groups.

• Group one received 50 grams of prunes daily.
• Group two received 100 grams of prunes a day.
• Group three got a lookalike placebo.

After 12 months, both prune groups had significant IMPROVEMENTS in their microbiomes. Specifically, they had more beneficial bacteria from the Lachnospiraceae family.

This family of bacteria is known for decreasing inflammation and strengthening the gut barrier.

But the positive prune news doesn’t end there.

In another recent study, the phenolic content and dietary fiber in prunes boosted gut health in a way that ultimately supports bone health.

And, of course, bone health is VITAL for menopausal women who are at an increased risk of osteoporosis because of hormonal changes brought on by the transition.

But the fact is, whether you’re a postmenopausal woman or not, improving your microbiome is critical for boosting your health from head to toe.

Studies show having a good gut-bug balance slashes your risk for countless diseases, including type 2 diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, heart disease, cancer, and obesity.

Adding prunes to your diet is an easy way to achieve that balance.

Just make sure to pick whole prunes and not sugar-laden prune juice.

P.S. Munching on prunes and taking a good probiotic are great ways to improve your gut flora. But there’s another microbiome-boosting step you can take that you’ll NEVER see coming! CLICK HERE for the enlightening story.

SOURCE:

“Prune supplementation for 12 months alters the gut microbiome in postmenopausal women,” Food Funct., 2022,13, 12316-12329, DOI: 10.1039/D2FO02273G