Bowel function of postmenopausal women: Effects of daily consumption of dried plum

Calcium and vitamin D were provided to 48 postmenopausal women for 6 months and randomly assigned into control, 50 g/d dried plum, or 100 g/d dried plum groups to examine dried plum influences on bowel habits. No adverse effects of dried plum were detected, whereas pain and constipation ratings increased (p<0.05) in the control group. Pain was higher (p=0.049) at 6 months for control versus 50 g/d dried plum and lower (p=0.042) at 3 months for 100 g/d dried plum versus 50 g/d. Constipation ratings were higher for control than 100 g/d dried plum at 6 months. Dried plum in the dose of 50 or 100 g per day did not produce adverse effect and may decrease discomfort of bowel movements.