Insights & Discussion
Dried plums, or prunes, have potential to exert beneficial effects on bone health and may help in combating osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, if consumed as part of their recommended fruit intake.
The research process involved a comprehensive review of scientific literature available in the PubMed database up until January 24, 2017. This literature included cell studies, animal studies, population and clinical studies that examined effects of dried plums or their extracts on markers of bone health. In total, 24 research papers were reviewed and their findings are summarized.
Discussing the results, animal, cell, and clinical studies suggest that dried plums or their extracts positively impact bone formation and limit bone breakdown. This is likely due to the influence of dried plums on cell signaling pathways that dictate osteoblast (bone-building cells) and osteoclast (bone-destroying cells) differentiation. Clinical studies also indicate that consumption of dried plums could have beneficial effects on bone mineral density, particularly in postmenopausal women. There were no adverse effects reported in these studies, further suggesting that they could safely be included in regular dietary routines.
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Plums, which are rich in bioactive compounds, antioxidants, and vitamins, can help maintain blood glucose level, bone health, heart health and even treat certain cancers.
2023 International Journal of Food Properties A comprehensive review on the availability of bioactive compounds, phytochemicals, and antioxidant potential of plum ( Prunus Domestica ) Ayub H, Nadeem M, Mohsin M, Ambreen S, Khan F, Oranab S, et al.
Review Article Antioxidant Blood Sugar Bone Health
The research explored the health benefits and medicinal effects of plums, a common fruit belonging to the Prunus genus. The study focused not only on their consumption as a food source but also their uses in beverages. Special attention was given to the polyphenolic compounds, bioactive compounds, and antioxidants inherent in plums, such as phenolic acids, anthocyanins, carotenoids, and various organic acids, alongside an array of necessary minerals and vitamins.
Apart from detailing traditional nutritional components, the study analyzed the unique constituents of plums like caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid and other phenolic compounds which contribute to its antioxidant property. The broader health benefits provided by these compounds spanning bone health, cardiovascular health, blood glucose stabilization, and potential impacts on gastrointestinal diseases were studied, with a particular emphasis on their possible role in the prevention and treatment of heart disease and specific kinds of cancer: lung and oral. The role of plums' low fat and high dietary fibre content in heart disease prevention was of special focus.
Prunes demonstrate potential as a dietary intervention to protect against, prevent and even reverse bone loss in osteoporosis, particularly in postmenopausal women.
2022 Advances in Nutrition The Role of Prunes in Modulating Inflammatory Pathways to Improve Bone Health in Postmenopausal Women Damani JJ, De Souza MJ, VanEvery HL, Strock NCA, Rogers CJ
Systematic Review Bone Health Bone Loss Plum
Using sixteen preclinical trials with in vivo rodent models of osteopenia or osteoporosis, researchers investigated the effect of dietary supplementation with prunes. The research shows prunes' osteoprotective capabilities, preventing, reversing bone loss, and exerting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The prunes or their polyphenol extracts showed properties that decreased malondialdehyde and NO secretion and increased antioxidant enzyme expression. Two clinical trials further investigated prune consumption (50-100 g/d for 6-12 months) on bone health in postmenopausal women.
The results of the studies revealed the promising outcome of improved bone mineral density and bone biomarker due to the consumption of dried plums. However, the effect of prunes on oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators remains less understood. The study hence emphasizes the need to investigate prunes' role in modulating the inflammatory and immune pathways related to bone health.
Dried plums potentially prevent and reverse bone loss in postmenopausal women facing osteoporosis, offering a promising functional food therapy solution with long-lasting effects.
2017 Nutrients Bone-Protective Effects of Dried Plum in Postmenopausal Women: Efficacy and Possible Mechanisms Arjmandi BH, Johnson SA, Pourafshar S, Navaei N, George KS, Hooshmand S, et al.
Animal Study Bone Loss Osteoporosis Plum
The methodology focused on examining the influence of dried plum in preventing and reversing bone loss related to osteoporosis. Two populations were studied: an ovariectomized rat model, which simulates the condition in postmenopausal women, and actual osteopenic postmenopausal women. The subjects were given measured servings of dried plums and their bone mass and structure were analyzed over a certain period. The researchers also attempted to understand the possible mechanisms through which dried plum exerts its bone-protective effects.
In terms of results, evidence suggested that dried plum effectively retarded bone loss in both the rat model and human subjects. An intriguing observation was from a follow-up study of the one-year clinical trial conducted five years earlier. Women who had been in the trial consuming 100 g dried plum per day were found to have retained bone mineral density more efficiently than comparative controls. Dried plum's beneficial effect was hypothesised to originate from its bioactive compounds. The overall findings strongly advocate dried plum as a functional food therapy for preventing osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
Dried plum intake uniquely improves bone density, promotes growth of vertebral trabecular bone, prevents bone loss in tibia, and positively adjusts bone metabolism.
2013 PLOS One Dried Plum’s Unique Capacity to Reverse Bone Loss and Alter Bone Metabolism in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Model Rendina E, Hembree KD, Davis MKR, Marlow D, Clarke SL, Halloran BP, et al.
Animal Study Bone Loss Osteoporosis Plum
Adult osteopenic mice were subjected to a diet supplemented with 25% of various dried fruits such as dried plum, apple, apricot, grape, and mango for a period of 8 weeks. Body and spine bone mineral density improvement was monitored in these mice, with particular focus on the anabolic effect on trabecular bone in the vertebra and prevention of bone loss in the tibia. The osteoclast differentiation and osteoblast and glutathione activity were also assessed, to better understand the potential mechanisms through which dried plum may exert its osteoprotective effects.
The results of the study showed that while dried plum, apricot and grape diets led to improvements in bone mineral density, dried plum was the only fruit that resulted in an anabolic effect on trabecular bone in the vertebra and helped prevent bone loss in the tibia. Biomechanical properties showed restoration, aligning with the changes observed in the spine's trabecular bone. Examining the difference in effects between the various fruits, it was found that dried plum was unique in its ability to balance the down-regulation of osteoclast differentiation and up-regulation of osteoblast and glutathione activity. The alterations in bone metabolism and antioxidant status and their transformative impact on bone health were unique to dried plum when compared with other dried fruits.
Dried plum consumption enhances bone mineral density in postmenopausal women, primarily by reducing the rate of bone turnover.
2011 British Journal of Nutrition Comparative effects of dried plum and dried apple on bone in postmenopausal women Hooshmand S, Chai SC, Saadat RL, Payton ME, Brummel-Smith K, Arjmandi BH
Randomised Controlled Trial Bone Mineral Density Osteoporosis Plum
The research studied 160 osteopenic postmenopausal women from 1 to 10 years postmenopause, who were not receiving any hormone replacement therapy or medication affecting bone metabolism. Participants were randomly divided into two treatment groups, one consuming dried plums and the other eating dried apples, with both groups also receiving daily dosages of calcium and vitamin D. Bone mineral density was measured at the beginning and end of the study using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Blood samples were taken at the start, then every 3 months to evaluate bone biomarkers. Physical activity and dietary factors were monitored as potential covariates throughout the study.
Dried plums significantly boosted the bone mineral density in the ulna (one of the two bones in the forearm) and spine compared to dried apples. This tendency could only be seen in dried plums - they drastically reduced serum levels of bone turnover markers, specifically bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b. This confirms that dried plums can indeed improve the bone mineral density in postmenopausal women, in part by suppressing the rate of bone turnover.
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