Prunes May Provide Bone Health Benefits

Prunes contain fiber, potassium, magnesium, manganese, and vitamins A, B, and K. A recent study has found that consuming 1.7 ounces of prunes daily may provide bone health benefits.

Participants in the study included 235 women with an average age of 62. They consumed 1.7 ounces of prunes, 3.4 ounces of prunes, or no prunes daily for 12 months. Bone mineral density in the hip was measured at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Hip fracture risk was evaluated at baseline and at the end of the study period.

Participants in the prune groups preserved bone mineral density in the hip compared to a loss of bone mineral density in the no prune group. In addition, participants in the prune group saw no increase in hip fracture risk compared to an increase in hip fracture risk in the no prune group.

The study was conducted by researchers from Pennsylvania State University.  It was published online ahead of print on July 1, 2022 in the The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

A previous study found that collagen peptides may provide bone health benefits.