In the Journal of Medicinal Food, researchers have recently published a study exploring how consuming prunes affects various bone biomarkers in men. Many studies before have analyzed this effect on male animals; however, no human male study has been conducted before.
To conduct the randomized controlled trial, the researchers separated 60 men into two groups, one with 100 grams of prunes daily, and the other with zero grams of prunes daily. The study aimed to test if daily inclusion of prunes positively affected bone mineral density, bone strength, and bone biomarkers. Blood samples were studied at the start, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. The results showed that those consuming 100 grams of prunes daily saw a significant reduction in tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b (TRAP5b) and C-terminal collagen cross link (CTX) at 3, 6, and 12 months compared to the control group. Moreover, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase levels decreased at 6 and 12 months in both groups. The bone mineral density for total body, spine (L1-L4), hip, and ulna did not show a significant difference.
Together, all of these results suggest that consuming 100 grams of prunes daily may have modest bone-protective effects for men.
Hooshmand, S., Gaffen, D., Eisner, A., Fajardo, J., Payton, M., & Kern, M. (2021). Effects of 12 Months Consumption of 100 g Dried Plum (Prunes) on Bone Biomarkers, Density, and Strength in Men. Journal of Medicinal Food.
To conduct the randomized controlled trial, the researchers separated 60 men into two groups, one with 100 grams of prunes daily, and the other with zero grams of prunes daily. The study aimed to test if daily inclusion of prunes positively affected bone mineral density, bone strength, and bone biomarkers. Blood samples were studied at the start, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. The results showed that those consuming 100 grams of prunes daily saw a significant reduction in tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b (TRAP5b) and C-terminal collagen cross link (CTX) at 3, 6, and 12 months compared to the control group. Moreover, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase levels decreased at 6 and 12 months in both groups. The bone mineral density for total body, spine (L1-L4), hip, and ulna did not show a significant difference.
Together, all of these results suggest that consuming 100 grams of prunes daily may have modest bone-protective effects for men.
Hooshmand, S., Gaffen, D., Eisner, A., Fajardo, J., Payton, M., & Kern, M. (2021). Effects of 12 Months Consumption of 100 g Dried Plum (Prunes) on Bone Biomarkers, Density, and Strength in Men. Journal of Medicinal Food.