Prune Consumption and Bone Health in Older Men: A One-Year Randomized Controlled Trial
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Approximately 53.4 million U.S. adults aged 50 or older have low bone mass, yet male bone health remains under-researched. This study evaluated the effects of one year of prune supplementation on bone health in older men susceptible to, or with, osteopenia. Methods: A total of 59 men (aged 55-80 years) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: 100 g prunes, 50 g prunes, or 0 g prunes (control; multivitamin only) daily, with each group also receiving 450 mg elemental calcium and 800 IU vitamin D3 via a multivitamin. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (Lunar model DXA; GE Healthcare, CA, USA) scans and blood samples were collected at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. Results: No significant changes were observed in total bone mineral density (BMD) or lumbar spine BMD over one year. There were no significant changes in C-reactive protein (CRP). Osteoprotegerin (OPG) decreased significantly in all groups; however, the decrease was significantly greater in the control group compared to the levels in both prune groups. Sclerostin (SOST) significantly increased over time within all groups. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b (TRAP5b) increased in all groups, albeit in the control group, it increased significantly more over time compared to the increase in the 100 g group. Conclusions: Overall, prune supplementation, regardless of dosing, did not increase total or lumbar BMD or aid in maintaining bone density beyond the levels achieved by Ca++…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 59 participants or records.
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