Gut Microbes Differ in Postmenopausal Women Responding to Prunes to Maintain Hip Bone Mineral Density

JOURNAL: Front Nutr. 2024 Apr 18;11:1389638

AUTHORS: Abigayle M.R. Simpson, Mary Jane De Souza, Janhavi Damani, Connie J. Rogers, Nancy I. Williams, Connie M. Weaver, Mario G. Ferruzi, Cindy H. Nakatsu

Foods high in phenolics such as prunes have been shown to exert protective effects on bone mineral density (BMD), but only certain individuals experience these benefits. This post-hoc analysis of a 12-month randomized controlled trial aimed to identify the relationship among the gut microbiome, immune responses, and bone protective effects of prunes on postmenopausal women.

Findings show that women eating prunes daily had significantly lower secretions of immune markers compared to non-responders after 12 months. Significant microbiome changes were also observed with prune-eaters, who trended higher in the diversity of gut bacteria (alpha diversity) and structure of the gut microbial community (beta diversity). These findings provide evidence that postmenopausal women with initial low BMD can benefit from prunes if they host certain gut microbes.