Prunes poised as tool to combat osteoporosis, US study flags

02 Dec 2021 --- Eating 100 g of prunes per day has been shown to have a protective effect on bone health in men over the age of 50, according to a study by San Diego State University, US. 

The findings, published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, revealed that a year after daily prune consumption, there were significant decreases in biomarkers of bone breakdown. Research was funded by San Diego State University Grant Program and the California Prune Board.

“This new study is the first of its kind to examine the beneficial prune effect on bones in men,” Esther Ritson-Elliott, director of international marketing and communications for the California Prune Board, tells NutritionInsight. 

Men overlooked in osteoporosis?
According to Elliot, osteoporosis has largely been perceived as a “women’s disease,” with statistics showing women can lose some bone density following menopause.

It is estimated that two million men are battling osteoporosis, and another 16.1 million men have low bone mass, she adds.

“We’ve already seen significant evidence that prunes have a positive effect on bone health in women, so it’s particularly exciting to find that prunes can also play a beneficial role in men’s bone health,” says lead researcher Professor Shirin Hooshmand, PhD, School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, San Diego State University.

Promising results
The study observed 57 healthy men aged 50 to 79 years old, who were assigned to either consume 100 g of prunes every day or given no prunes to eat for 12 months. 

Prunes are filled with nutrients beneficial to tackling osteoporosis. A year later, participants who consumed prunes showed significant decreases in biomarkers of bone breakdown, while no changes were observed in the control group. The study also revealed that men who ate prunes showed improvements in bone geometry, indicating greater bone strength.

“Strong, healthy bones are the foundation for lifelong vitality. Nutrients that influence bone health, including boron, potassium and vitamin K, can be found in prunes. Prunes are also rich in phenolic compounds, which may inhibit bone resorption and stimulate bone formation,” notes Elliot. 

“While it is known that calcium and vitamin D are important for good bone health, other micronutrients like manganese and vitamin K also contribute to the maintenance of normal bones, both of which are present in California Prunes.”  

Future outlook
Beyond the importance of more studies, Elliot flags that findings such as these are important in highlighting that eating and drinking the right things can help support bone health at every stage of life. 

“We lay down our bones until we are 30 years old. To work to eliminate osteoporosis/osteopenia we must move to educate the younger generation to focus on their bone health now,” she says.

Prunes can easily be added to diets and can be eaten as a snack, used as an ingredient in sweet or savory dishes and baked goods. 

Earlier this year, the California Prune Board partnered with a host of Canadian athletes – including some who are training for the Olympics – to highlight the role of good nutrition and exercise in bone health.

A previous study funded by the California Prune Board revealed that daily prune intake can aid in heart health and reduce inflammation in postmenopausal women. 

By Andria Kades

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