Study: Eating prunes could protect against this

By Mark Waghorn via SWNS

A handful of prunes a day can protect older women against broken hips, according to new research.

Levels of bone boosting hormone oestrogen drop after menopause. The dried plums contain vital chemicals that mimic its effects.

They are rich in antioxidants which dampen inflammation and destroy harmful free radicals.

Over 50s who regularly snacked on them were less prone to brittle bone disease - known medically as osteoporosis.

In the United States, an estimated 10 million people aged 50 years and older have osteoporosis, according to health.gov, most of them are women.

It causes cause significant pain, disability and loss of independence.

Lead author Professor Mary Jane De Souza, of Pennsylvania State University, said: "It is exciting the data from our large randomized controlled trial in postmenopausal women showed consuming five to six prunes a day demonstrated the benefit of protection from bone loss at the hip.

"Our data supports the use of prunes to protect the hip from bone loss post menopause."

"Indeed, this data may be especially valuable for postmenopausal women who cannot take pharmacological therapy to combat bone loss and need an alternative strategy."

The study of 235 women is the first to demonstrate the benefit of this simple dietary change.

Participants who ate 50 grams of prunes (5 or 6) a day for a year maintained bone mineral density (BMD) at the hip.

On the other hand, a control group who never touched them lost significant mass - and were more likely to have a fracture.

Previous clinical trials have suggested the promising effects of prunes - perhaps due to their abundance of vitamin K that fuels bone building proteins.

The findings represent a milestone, as it is the largest study to date, say the US team.

Andrea Giancoli, a nutrition advisor on the California Prune Board, said: "Just a handful of prunes can easily be added to anyone’s lifestyle.

"Prunes pair with so many flavours and textures and work well for individualised nutrition plans.

"Mix them into salads, trail mixes, smoothies, savoury dishes – you name it. The naturally sweet flavour of prunes makes them a versatile ingredient or convenient snack for anyone."

Under 100 calories per serving, prunes are a nutrient-dense fruit that packs a powerful punch of vitamins and nutrients.

They also contain boron, potassium, copper and a cocktail of healthy plant compounds that are good for the bones.

Enjoyed globally, California Prunes are always in season, require no refrigeration and are an accessible and nutritious snack for overall wellbeing.

They are regarded as a 'superfood' for improving gut bacteria, slowing down ageing, combating iron deficiency, diabetes, heart disease - and even baldness.

The study was presented at the World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases in Berlin, Germany.