Prunes preserve bone density and strength

Dairy isn’t the only food that’s good for bone health. Eating prunes every day also slows bone loss connected to osteoporosis says a new trial.
Published in Osteoporosis International, the findings suggest that daily prune consumption slows the progression of age-related bone loss and reduces the risk of fracture in post-menopausal women.
This is because prunes contain bioactive compounds that may blunt the inflammatory pathways that lead to bone loss.

The new study

To see how daily prune consumption influences bone quality, the research team conducted a 12-month trial with 235 postmenopausal women. Participants were split into three groups: no prunes; 50g prunes daily; or 100g prunes daily.
Every six months scans were done to measure 3D bone mass density, bone geometry and bone strength.
Over the course of one year, the researchers found that measures of bone mass density and bone strength at the shin bone decreased in women in the control group. But those who ate at least four to six prunes every day maintained bone density and bone strength and preserved bone structure.
While women in both prune groups saw benefit, four to six prunes a day may be the more feasible dose. Women in the 100g group dropped out of the study at a higher rate because they found it difficult to incorporate so many prunes into their daily diet.
“It’s pretty exciting data for a 12-month study,” says Prof Mary Jane De Souza who led the work. “In our study we saw that daily prune consumption impacted factors related to fracture risk. That’s clinically invaluable.”

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