Daily consumption of prunes may protect against fractures in postmenopausal women. This has been shown by a study published in the journal. Osteoporosis International (Osteoporosis International).
Two types of cells are responsible for the bone regeneration process: those that destroy tissue and those that complement it. With age, the imbalance between them leads to thinning of the bones and fractures. Women suffer from this condition more often than men, and the risk of fractures increases during menopause.
In the new study, researchers evaluated the bone tissue of 235 postmenopausal women. They were divided into three groups: One ate no prunes, the second ate 50 grams (4 to 6 fruits) of prunes per day, the third ate 100 grams (10 to 12 fruits) of prunes per day. They were followed for a year.
Participants received a CT scan every six months. Bone density decreased in the group that did not eat prunes. Women in other groups were able to maintain bone strength. In this case, consuming 50 grams of prunes was sufficient.
The authors concluded that prune consumption may reduce the risk of osteoporosis, but more research is needed. The scientists’ work differed from previous ones by the use of a special subtype of CT. It made it possible to evaluate the three-dimensional structure of the bone and therefore more accurately determine its strength.
The positive effect of prunes may be due to the polyphenols (substances that relieve inflammation) they contain.
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