Men’s Health Week: California Prune Board touts bone health benefits of early consumption

12 Jun 2023 --- Prunes have long been recommended for their fiber effects, but recent studies reveal that dried plum’s health affects go far beyond regularity. On the occasion of Men’s Health Week, the California Prune Board (CPB) is spotlighting the stone fruits’ benefits toward combating osteoporosis.

The organization highlights that, though osteoporosis is often thought of as mainly affecting women, the Royal Osteoporosis Society reports that one in five men over 50 will experience bone breaks and fractures as a result of the disease. The CPB holds that bone health should be a priority for men and women.

“Whether you’re male or female, it’s never too early to think about bone health,” says CPB dietitian and nutritionist, Dr. Annamaria Acquaviva. “The majority of bone mass is acquired by age 18 in girls, and age 20 in boys, with bone development reaching maximum aged 30.”

Prune-powered health
CPB dietitian and nutritionist, Dr. Annamaria Acquaviva. Image Credit: California Prune Board.Acquaviva explains that a recent study shows that adding prunes to daily diets can also have significant effects. Furthermore, the CPH adds that the study is just one in over that demonstrates the many benefits of prunes for bone, microbiome and gut health and weight management. 

“Eating a handful of prunes a day can maintain normal bones as well as the digestive system and the immune system, with a recent study pointing to the promising effect prunes can have on men’s bone health,” she reveals.

Small changes, big results
The organization notes that simple lifestyle changes can help people avoid some of the worst effects of osteoporosis, and possibly stave off its development. Moreover, the CPB says that it is never too early or late to implement new habits that can help improve and maintain skeletal bone health.

Some of those changes could include adding minerals and mineral citrates, such as magnesium, calcium, potassium and zinc. Other helpful nutrients include collagen and collagen peptides, hyaluronic acids and vitamins D and K2.

The CPB also states that reducing or eliminating risk factors like smoking tobacco and consuming alcohol can be helpful alongside regular exercise and active lifestyles.

“Getting vitamin D from the sun and eating a balanced diet can play a role in building healthy bones, including fruit,vegetables, dairy and proteins like oily fish and poultry,” Acquaviva concludes. “California prunes contain a range of nutrients such as vitamin K, manganese, potassium, boron and copper, as well as fiber.”

By William Bradford Nichols