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PRESS RELEASE
The Role of Prunes in Bone Health
January 20, 2017. As the demographic shift to an older population continues, a growing
number of men and women will be diagnosed with osteoporosis and a search for potential nonpharmacological alternative therapies is increasing. In addition to existing drug therapies,
certain lifestyle and nutritional factors are known to reduce the risk of osteoporosis1.
The benefits of prune consumption for osteoporosis and their role in total body bone mineral
density (BMD) loss have been supported by scientific research in both animal studies and
clinical trials.
Prunes are high in fiber, vitamin K, which contributes to the maintenance of normal bones, and
potassium, which contributes to normal muscle function. Prunes are also a source of copper,
which contributes to maintenance of normal connective tissues 2,3,4.
Research in prunes has increased beginning with studies of their potential in restoring bone and
preventing bone loss in animal models of osteoporosis5. Some animal studies suggest that fruit
consumption with antioxidant content may have a pronounced effect on bone health, as shown
by higher bone mass, trabecular bone (a.k.a. spongy bone) volume, number and thickness, and
lower trabecular separation (which puts the person at risk of osteoporosis) by enhancing bone
formation, suppressing bone resorption and increasing bone strength. The bone protection
effects seem to be mediated via antioxidant or anti-inflammatory pathways leading to osteoblast
mineralization and osteoclast inactivation6.
According to a randomized controlled trial published last year, prune (dried plum) consumption
may prevent the loss of total body BMD in older osteopenic postmenopausal women. Fortyeight osteopenic (bone mineral density is lower than normal but not low enough to be classified
as osteoporosis) women (65-79 years old) were randomly assigned into one of three treatment
groups for six months: 50 g of prunes, 100 g of prunes or a control group. All groups were
supplemented with calcium and vitamin D. Total body, hip, and lumbar bone mineral density
were evaluated at baseline and six months after using DEXA. In addition, several markers of
bone metabolism were determined during the trial. Data revealed that both prune groups were
able to prevent the loss of total body bone mineral density when compared to the control group7.
This effect has been explained in part to the ability of prunes to inhibit bone reabsorption. The
study’s results support previous data on the role that prunes may play in bone health, especially
in older postmenopausal women8,9.
About the International Nut & Dried Fruit Council
INC members include more than 700 nut and dried fruit sector companies from over 70
countries. INC is the leading international organization regarding nuts and dried fruit health,
nutrition, statistics, food safety, international standards and regulations.
1
2
Zhu K, Prince RL. Lifestyle and osteoporosis. Curr Osteoporos Rep. 2015 Feb;13(1):52-9.
USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (Release 28, released September 2015,
slightly revised May 2016).
3
Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on
nutrition and health claims made on foods:
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32006R1924&from=en
4
Commission Regulation (EC) No 432/2012 of 16 May 2012 establishing a list of permitted health claims
made on foods, other than those referring to the reduction of disease risk and to children’s development
and health:
5
Franklin M, Bu SY, Lerner MR, Lancaster EA et al. Dried plum prevents bone loss in a male osteoporosis
model via IGF-I and the RANK pathway. Bone. 2006 ;39(6):1331-42.
6 Shen CL, von Bergen V, Chyu MC. Fruits and dietary phytochemicals in bone protection. Nutr
Res. 2012;32(12):897-910.
7
Hooshmand, S, Kern, M, Metti, D et al. The effect of two doses of dried plum on bone density and bone
biomarkers in osteopenic postmenopausal women: a randomized, controlled trial. Osteoporosis
International. 2016;1-9.
8
Hooshmand, S., Brisco, J. R., & Arjmandi, B. H. (2014). The effect of dried plum on serum levels of
receptor activator of NF-κB ligand, osteoprotegerin and sclerostin in osteopenic postmenopausal women:
a randomised controlled trial. British Journal of Nutrition, 112(01), 55-60.
9
Rendina E, Hembree KD, Davis MR et al. Dried plum’s unique capacity to reverse bone loss and alter
bone metabolism in postmenopausal osteoporosis model. PloS one. 2013;8(3):e60569.