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, Ferruzzi MG, Nakatsu CH, Weaver C · The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition · 2022 October

DOI 10.1093/ajcn/nqac189

Objective

To investigate the effects of prunes on bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women during a 12-month dietary intervention.

Conclusions

A daily dose of 50g of prunes can prevent the loss of total hip BMD in postmenopausal women after 6 months, which persisted for 12 months, indicating a valuable nonpharmacologic treatment strategy to preserve hip BMD and possibly reduce hip fracture risk.

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Insights

A daily intake of 50 grams of prunes can maintain hip bone density in postmenopausal women, potentially reducing hip fracture risks.

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.