A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition examined the mechanism of the bone-protective properties of an unlikely source—California dried plums.
Fifty-seven million Americans suffer from low bone density or osteoporosis, a disease which causes bones to become so weak and brittle that even a minor fall or other stresses may cause fractures (1). A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition in July examined the mechanism of the bone-protective properties of an unlikely source—California dried plums (2).
To further understand the mechanism by which dried plums (prunes) improve bone health, researchers from San Diego State University and Florida State University used data collected from a previous 12-month clinical trial that compared the bone-protective effects of dried plums and dried apples (3). Results from this clinical trial confirmed the bone-protective properties of dried plums, and several animal studies have also supported this finding. However, the mechanisms by which dried plums impart their bone-protective properties remain unclear.