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Bone loss is a serious issue affecting over 50% of women over the age of 50, and there is currently no medication specifically designed to address it. Traditional therapies, including hormonal treatments, require lifelong commitment and are associated with certain health risks. Therefore, researchers from the Pennsylvania State University, in collaboration with colleagues from other American universities, explored non-pharmacological approaches to treatment. It has been revealed that prunes have anti-inflammatory properties and may reduce bone loss after the onset of menopause.
These findings were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Research Overview
In total, 183 women aged 55-75 participated in the study. Participants were divided into three groups: a control group (without prunes), a group consuming 50 grams of prunes per day, and a group consuming 100 grams of prunes per day.
Measurements of immune, inflammatory, and oxidative stress markers were taken at the beginning and after 12 months of daily prune consumption. All participants also received a daily dose of calcium and vitamin D3 to meet the recommended dietary intake of 1200 mg of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D3. Dietary restrictions were not imposed on other aspects of their diet.
Impact of Prunes on Bone Density
A daily dose of 50 grams of prunes may prevent the loss of overall mineral bone density in postmenopausal women.
These findings add to a growing body of research and interest investigating the role of ‘food as medicine’ and complement other studies I have conducted using the same data. For example, the previous study I led showed connections between hip bone integrity and daily consumption of prunes—where postmenopausal women who did not eat prunes lost 1.5% of their hip bone density compared to women who ate 5–6 prunes daily.
Principal Investigator Mary Jane De Souza, Professor, Department of Kinesiology, Pennsylvania State University
Furthermore, the daily consumption of 50–100 grams of prunes contributes significantly to the reduction of proteins that help control inflammation and immune cells that regulate chronic inflammatory reactions.
4–6 prunes, approximately 100 calories, represents a nutrient-dense superfood containing over 20 different vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds. Scientists suggest that a 50-gram dose is a valuable non-pharmacological strategy for preserving bone density in postmenopausal women. In the long term, this may help reduce the risk of hip fractures in women.
