“New Study Unveils Unexpected Health Benefits of Prunes: A Surprising Superfood”

new health benefits prunes

A yearlong randomized controlled trial has uncovered that the daily intake of prunes significantly decelerates the progression of bone loss associated with osteoporosis.

While dairy is traditionally heralded for its benefits to bone health, recent research spearheaded by Penn State reveals that prunes might also fortify bone structure and strength in postmenopausal women.

Published in Osteoporosis International, the study’s findings suggest that a daily consumption of prunes could slow the age-related decline in bone density, thereby diminishing the risk of fractures.

“This trial stands as the first to examine three-dimensional bone outcomes in relation to bone structure, geometry, and estimated strength,” noted Mary Jane De Souza, a distinguished professor of kinesiology and physiology at Penn State.

“Our study shows that daily prune consumption impacts critical factors tied to fracture risk, which holds immense clinical significance.”

Bone tissue is dynamic, perpetually undergoing a remodeling process where old bone is replaced by new. However, as we age, this equilibrium shifts, leading to a situation where the body breaks down bone faster than it can replenish it.

The Osteoporosis Challenge

The accelerated bone loss can culminate in osteoporosis, a condition characterized by decreased bone density and altered bone structure, making bones more fragile and susceptible to fractures.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 10 million Americans suffer from osteoporosis, with the condition being more prevalent among women and older adults.

Postmenopausal women are particularly at risk, as the decline in estrogen—a hormone vital for bone health—exacerbates the loss of bone density during this stage of life.

Although medications exist to combat osteoporosis, many women who could benefit from them remain untreated.

Prunes, however, present a promising alternative. They are rich in bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, that may mitigate the inflammatory pathways leading to bone loss, De Souza explained.

Earlier studies predominantly employed dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to assess two-dimensional bone mass density and diagnose osteoporosis.

However, DXA scans cannot differentiate between various types of bone tissue or measure structural properties of bone, which serve as indicators of bone strength and quality.

“When assessing bone mineral density, we focus on the quantity of bone, but understanding bone quality is equally vital. A three-dimensional perspective allows us to evaluate bone structure, geometry, and micro-architecture, which essentially tells us how robust the bone is,” De Souza elaborated.

Study Design and Outcomes

The research team embarked on a 12-month randomized controlled trial with 235 postmenopausal women to explore the effects of daily prune consumption on bone quality.

Participants were divided into three groups: those consuming no prunes, those consuming 50 grams (four to six prunes) daily, and those consuming 100 grams (10 to 12 prunes) daily.

Biannual assessments using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) scans enabled the team to measure 3D bone mass density, bone geometry, and bone strength.

Over the year, the control group experienced a decline in bone mass density and bone strength at the tibia (shin bone). In contrast, women consuming at least four to six prunes daily maintained their bone density and strength, particularly in cortical bone.

Although both prune groups benefited, the group consuming four to six prunes daily found this dose more manageable. Women in the 100-gram group showed a higher dropout rate, largely due to the monotony of incorporating such a large number of prunes into their diet.

“For a 12-month study, these findings are quite thrilling,” De Souza remarked. “We managed to maintain and preserve bone at the weight-bearing cortical bone of the tibia, which is crucial for preventing fractures.”

While prune consumption appears to reduce the risk of osteoporosis, De Souza emphasized the need for further research to confirm these results.

Building on a series of studies exploring the relationship between prunes and bone health, this research reinforces the positive effects of prunes.

In a previous study involving the same cohort, the team demonstrated that daily prune consumption over a year preserved total bone mass density at the hip.

They have also investigated how prunes may influence gut microbiome bacteria as part of their protective effects on bone. De Souza expressed hope for future studies to expand on these intriguing findings.

Reference

Prunes preserve cortical density and estimated strength of the tibia in a 12-month randomized controlled trial in postmenopausal women: The Prune Study by Kristen J. Koltun, Nicole C. A. Strock, Connie Weaver, Hang Lee, Nancy I. Williams, Connie J. Rogers, Janhavi Damani, Mario G. Ferruzzi, Cindy H. Nakatsu, and Mary Jane De Souza, 13 February 2024, Osteoporosis International. DOI: 10.1007/s00198-024-07031-6.