Prunes May Provide Bone Health Benefits for Men

By the age of 65 or 70, men typically begin to loss bone mass at the same rate as women, increasing the risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis. A recent study suggests that consuming 3.5 ounces of dried prunes daily may help improve bone health in men.

57 men between the ages of 50 and 79 participated in the study. Half consumed 3.5 ounces of dried prunes daily. The other half did not consume any prunes. Bone biomarkers were measured at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. Bone strength was evaluated at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months.

Participants in the prune group saw significant decreases in biomarkers of bone breakdown, compared to no change in the placebo group. They also saw improvements in bone strength.

The study was conducted by researchers from San Diego State University. It was published online ahead of print on October 29, 2021 in the Journal of Medicinal Food.