ISLAMABAD: A one-year clinical trial has discovered that prunes consumed daily can have a major effect in slowing bone loss that comes with osteoporosis, and the fruit has been re-given a new status as a possible superfood.
The randomised controlled trial, performed by the researchers of Penn State University and published in the journal Osteoporosis International, implies that the regular consumption of prunes might contribute to the preservation of the bone structure and strength in postmenopausal women, which may reduce the risk of fractures in old age.
Professor Mary Jane De Souza, an expert in kinesiology and physiology at Penn State, said: This is the first randomised trial to look at three-dimensional outcomes in terms of bone structure, geometry, and estimated strength. We discovered that daily intake of prunes produced a quantifiable impact on variables associated with the risk of fracture, which is enormously important clinically.
Bone is a living tissue that is constantly destroyed and reconstructed. The rate at which bone is lost exceeds the capacity of the body to rebuild bone as people age, particularly postmenopausal women who have a dramatic drop in oestrogen levels. This imbalance causes such conditions as osteoporosis, which makes it more probable to have fractures.
Although there is medication that can be used to treat osteoporosis, a large number of women are not treated. Professor De Souza said that prunes could be a natural alternative. Prunes are rich in bioactive compounds like polyphenols, which may be used to reverse bone loss caused by inflammation.
Conventionally, bone density is determined through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Nevertheless, DXA scans are not sufficient to assess bone quality. Bone mineral density gives us the amount of bone we have, but we also want to know the structural integrity of the bone, De Souza explained. A three-dimensional measurement provides us with information about the geometry of the bones, microarchitecture, and the general strength.
In order to examine the impact of prune intake, researchers recruited 235 postmenopausal women and separated them into three groups: one group did not eat any prunes, another group ate 50 grams (approximately four to six prunes) of prunes daily, and the third group ate 100 grams (approximately 10 to 12 prunes) of prunes daily. The participants were scanned periodically with pQCT technology to determine bone density, geometry, and strength.
The control group showed significant declines in bone density and strength of the tibia, which is the primary weight-bearing bone in the lower leg, after 12 months. Conversely, women who consumed four to six prunes per day maintained their bone mass and strength, especially in the cortical bone. Interestingly, more dropouts occurred in the higher-dose group because of the so-called diet fatigue, which indicates that a smaller daily dose can be more acceptable.
De Souza said, “This is encouraging data of a 12-month intervention. We have been able to maintain the strength and density of weight-bearing bone that is critical in fracture prevention.”
Although the results are promising, the researchers emphasized that additional research is needed to validate the long-term effects of prunes. The new study is based on previous findings that prunes can be used to preserve hip bone density, which further supports their argument as a natural alternative to improve bone health.
