Prune Study Finds No Significant Bone Density Improvement in Older Men
A new randomized controlled trial published in Nutrients has examined whether daily consumption of prunes can improve bone health in older men with osteopenia. The study, which enrolled 62 men aged 55–80, found that despite some changes in bone biomarkers, the intervention did not lead to measurable improvements in bone mineral density (BMD).
Study Design
Participants had lumbar spine BMD T-scores between −0.1 and −2.5. They were randomly assigned to one of three groups for one year:
- 50 g prunes daily
- 100 g prunes daily
- A multivitamin control
All groups also received 800 IU of vitamin D3 and 450 mg of elemental calcium daily.
Key Findings
After 12 months, no significant differences were observed between groups in total or lumbar spine BMD. While some bone biomarkers—osteoprotegerin, sclerostin, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRAP5b)—showed changes over time, these did not translate into improved bone density.
Notably, the control group demonstrated a greater increase in TRAP5b compared to the 100 g prune group.
Study Limitations
The authors acknowledge several important limitations:
- Small sample size
- Group imbalance
- Broad T-score range among participants
- Lack of a true placebo arm
The authors call for larger, longer-term studies to better understand the potential effects of prunes on bone health.
Conclusion
While prune consumption did not harm bone health, this study found no evidence that it improves BMD in older men with osteopenia within a one-year timeframe.