Insights & Discussion
Dried plum consumption enhances bone mineral density in postmenopausal women, primarily by reducing the rate of bone turnover.
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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A daily intake of 50 grams of prunes can maintain hip bone density in postmenopausal women, potentially reducing hip fracture risks.
2022 The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition Prunes preserve hip bone mineral density in a 12-month randomized controlled trial in postmenopausal women: the Prune Study De Souza MJ, Strock NCA, Williams NI, Lee H, Koltun KJ, Rogers C, et al.
Randomised Controlled Trial Bone Mineral Density Plum
This research was conducted through a single-center, parallel-arm, randomized controlled trial over the course of a year. Postmenopausal women were randomly assigned into three groups - control, 50 grams of prunes, and 100 grams of prunes - and their bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed every 6 months. Secondary measurements included an observation of changes in bone biomarkers. Compliance and retention of participants were high particularly at the 50-gram dosage.
In assessing the effects of prunes on bone health, the findings showed a distinct interaction between the amount of prune intake and bone mineral density in the hip region. Specifically, it indicated that consumption of 50 grams of prunes daily led to a preservation of hip BMD after 6 months, an effect which was still apparent after a year. Despite a higher dropout rate and less impact on BMD, the 100-gram prune group, when combined with the 50-gram group, presented stability in the FRAX score, which measures the risk of hip fractures.
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.
2017 Nutrients Dried Plums, Prunes and Bone Health: A Comprehensive Review Wallace T
Review Article Bone Health Osteoporosis Plum
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.
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.