Written by Harold Oster, MD. Results suggest that prune consumption is associated with preserved bone density and tibial bone strength in older women.
Osteoporosis, a disease of the microarchitecture of bone, affects more than ten million Americans, and an additional thirty million have low bone density approaching the level of osteoporosis. An estimated 1.5 million osteoporosis-related fractures occur yearly in the United States1. Areal bone mineral density (BMD) is the usual method for diagnosing osteoporosis. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) allows for the assessment of volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), cortical bone density, bone strength index (BSI), and strength strain index (SSI), measurements shown to be predictors of fragility fracture2. Prunes have anti-inflammatory bioactive compounds and have been shown to have beneficial effects on bone density3.
Kristen J. Koltun et al. studied the association between the consumption of prunes and markers of bone strength in older women, as measured by pQCT. The authors analyzed data from a previously published study, which showed that prune intake is associated with preserved BMD3. Healthy women between 55 and 75 years old with bone density T-scores between 0.0 and -3.0 were recruited to participate in the study. Based on inclusion criteria, 235 participants were randomized to consume 50g of prunes (4-6 prunes), 100g (10-12 prunes), or no prunes daily for twelve months. The participants were assessed for general health, body mass index, and diet and exercise habits. Bone density and pQCT scans were performed at baseline, six months, and twelve months.
The authors noted the following:
- One hundred eighty-three participants completed the study.
- 41% of participants in the 100g prune group dropped out early, primarily because of gastrointestinal side effects. Due to the high dropout rate in the 100g group, analysis was also performed on the pooled group of participants who consumed 50g and 100g daily.
- Hip BMD decreased more in the control group at twelve months than in the pooled prune group. (1.1 g/cm2 vs 0.25 g/cm2)
- After adjustment for covariables, estimated tibial strength assessed by BSI and SSI decreased more at twelve months in the control group than in the pooled prune group. (2.0% vs 0.7% for BSI and 1.4% vs 0.3% for SSI)
- Tibial SSI declined more in the control group than in the 50g prune group. (1.4% vs 0.4%)
- No other statistically significant differences were seen after adjustment for covariables in those who completed the study.
Results suggest that prune consumption is associated with preserved bone density and estimated bone strength in older women. A limitation of the study was its short duration.
Source: Koltun, Kristen J., Nicole CA Strock, Connie Weaver, Hang Lee, Nancy I. Williams, Connie J. Rogers, Janhavi Damani, Mario G. Ferruzzi, Cindy H. Nakatsu, and Mary Jane De Souza. “Prunes preserve cortical density and estimated strength of the tibia in a 12-month randomized controlled trial in postmenopausal women: The Prune Study.” Osteoporosis International (2024): 1-13.
© International Osteoporosis Foundation and Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation 2024
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Posted March 27, 2024.
Harold Oster, MD graduated from medical school in Miami, Florida in 1992 and moved to Minnesota in 2004. After more than 25 years of practicing Internal Medicine, he recently retired. Dr. Oster is especially interested in nutrition, weight management, and disease prevention. Visit his website at haroldoster.com.
References:
- Clynes MA, Harvey NC, Curtis EM, Fuggle NR, Dennison EM, Cooper C. The epidemiology of osteoporosis. Br Med Bull. May 15 2020;133(1):105-117. doi:10.1093/bmb/ldaa005
- Stagi S, Cavalli L, Cavalli T, de Martino M, Brandi ML. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) for the assessment of bone strength in most of bone affecting conditions in developmental age: a review. Ital J Pediatr. Sep 26 2016;42(1):88. doi:10.1186/s13052-016-0297-9
- De Souza MJ, Strock NCA, Williams NI, et al. Prunes preserve hip bone mineral density in a 12-month randomized controlled trial in postmenopausal women: the Prune Study. Am J Clin Nutr. Oct 6 2022;116(4):897-910. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqac189
