ROSEVILLE, CA - As we quickly approach the start of the new year, many consumers are shifting their focus to healthy eating. This is creating an advantageous opportunity for the prune category. According to the California Prune Board, two Pennsylvania State University studies indicate that consuming prunes may ultimately help prevent bone loss and preserve bone strength.

“Evidence from several observational studies suggests a link between chronic inflammation and osteoporosis and fracture risk. Looking at postmenopausal women, we began our research by exploring the relationship between biomarkers of inflammation and bone. This helped us establish a baseline prior to a dietary intervention with prunes,” said Co-Investigator, Dr. Connie Rogers, PhD, MPH, Professor and Head, Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Georgia.

Inflammatory Cytokines are Associated with Lower Trabecular Bone Score at the Lumbar Spine in Postmenopausal Women, explored the relationship between circulating inflammatory mediators and various measures of bone health, including bone density, geometry, and strength in premenopausal women, a press release explained.

“Our findings demonstrate that inflammatory markers are negatively associated with bone health in postmenopausal women, suggesting that inflammation might be an important mediator for postmenopausal bone loss and a potential target for nutritional therapies,” continued Rogers.

The parent clinical trial, Prunes Preserve Cortical Bone Density and Estimated Strength in a 12-month Randomized Controlled Trial in Postmenopausal Women, evaluated the influence of 50 g per day and 100 g per day on volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), bone geometry, and estimated bone strength during a 12-month dietary intervention.

“Previously, we demonstrated that consuming five to six prunes a day for 12 months resulted in preservation of bone at the total hip, a finding that was observable at six months and persisted through month 12. In this second part of the randomized controlled trial, 3-D imaging of bone provided some additional info about the response of bone to consuming prunes daily,” said Principal Investigator, Dr. Mary Jane De Souza, PhD, FACSM, distinguished Professor and Director of The Women’s Health and Exercise Lab, Pennsylvania State University.

“We observed that the pooled group of women experienced some bone benefits. In particular, estimated bone strength at the tibia was maintained in the pooled group and cortical volumetric bone density was maintained in the five to six prunes a day and 10 to 12 prunes a day groups. As such, it appears that prunes may help prevent bone loss, especially at the hip and tibia,” De Souza continued.

Explore the findings of this study in-depth by clicking here.

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California Prune Board