Nutrition Research Shows a Favorable “Prune Effect” on Bone

New Study Indicates A Diet High in California Prunes Prevents Bone Loss After Traumatic Injury

You may know that California Prunes are the original good-gut food. But, did you know they are as good for tibias as they are for tummies? A decades-long, growing body of research indicates a remarkably positive connection between California Prunes and bone health. Studies suggest the polyphenol content in California Prunes may play a role in the fruit’s bone health benefits. A web of bone-enhancing, non-polyphenolic compounds including manganese, Vitamin K, boron, copper, sorbitol, and potassium also come together to make California Prunes a best friend to bones.

The study entitled, “Dried plum mitigates spinal cord injury‐induced bone loss in mice,” was conducted as part of the California Prune industry’s long-time commitment to world-class nutrition research. Individuals who suffer spinal cord injury (SCI) are prone to extremely rapid bone loss. This leads to a significant increase in the risk of fractures, osteoporosis, and overall mortality. Results of a new animal study show California Prunes may be able to help.

The new study findings build on previous research that shows a link between positive bone health response and California Prunes in post-menopausal women, along with animal-based research that shows a similar favorable bone response among those exposed to radiation – such as astronauts in space.

“We are seeing an exciting ‘prune effect’ on bones,” said Bernard Halloran, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, University of California – San Francisco (UCSF). “In a variety of unique research scenarios, prunes are consistently associated with a favorable bone response.”

It remains unclear what bioactive compounds in dried plum are responsible for the beneficial effects on bone. However, researchers suggest that the polyphenol content in dried plums may play a role.

Further studies are needed to identify the specific compound(s), as well as to determine if the results from the animal-based study can be replicated among humans.

The new study findings build on a growing body of research that shows a link between positive bone health response and California Prunes in post-menopausal women, along with research that shows a similar favorable bone response among those exposed to radiation – such as astronauts in space.

Additional nutrition research studies are now underway adding to the investment in scientifically-sound evidence about the health benefits of prunes. The research pipeline includes the largest clinical trial ever undertaken by the California Prune industry that is looking at how California Prunes influence the microbiota and inflammation reduction, as well as a first-of-its-kind study that is evaluating the impact of California Prunes on the bone health of men. More studies are examining how California Prunes affect the fracture-healing process and the fruit’s impact on the bone health of younger women who are taking oral contraceptives.

View the abstract here: Dried plum mitigates spinal cord injury‐induced bone loss in mice

References: Liu X, Liu M, Turner R, Iwaniec U, Kim H, Halloran B (2020) Dried plum mitigates spinal cord injury-induced bone loss in mice. JOR Spine. e1113. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsp2.1113