Osteoporosis: Doctor names ‘number one food for bone health’
Osteoporosis can afflict just about anyone with age, but it is a particular concern among post-menopausal women.
NHS data released last year showed that more than three million people are currently living with the condition in the UK.
What’s more, half of women over the age of 50 and one-third of men over 60 can expect to have a low trauma fracture due to the condition.
Taking the necessary precautions in early life can significantly slow the progression of the disease, and in some cases reverse it.
Eating prunes can slow the progression of osteoporosis
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Prunes are one of the most effective natural remedies for treating the condition thanks to bioactive compounds like polyphenols.
In essence, the antioxidants help blunt the inflammatory pathways responsible for bone loss.
Dr Peter Dingle PhD recently lauded the health benefits of prunes for bone health on TikTok, sharing: “Prunes are the number one food for bone health, it’s not milk, it’s not dairy.
“The one food that stands out are dried plums. In fact, dried plums have been shown to not just stop osteoporosis, but reverse it and add bone mineral density to the bone.
“There’s more than 20 preclinical studies on mice and rats and half a dozen studies on humans.
“The big question is how much can you take? And the answer is 50 to 100 grams of prunes daily have been shown to reap huge benefits for bone health.”
A 2022 study published in the Journal of Advances in Nutrition is among the latest research confirming a link between prune intake and osteoporosis prevention.
The review cited 16 preclinical studies using rodents, which established that dietary supplementation with prunes confers protective effects both by preventing and reversing bone loss.
Eating prunes every day has been shown to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
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“We know with bone loss and osteoporosis that inflammation and oxidation are key factors, and prunes [have] potent anti-inflammatory [properties],” noted Dr Peter Dingle.
“They’re also rich in potassium – great for bones – and Boron – which are fantastic for bones.”
For optimal bone health, everyone needs sufficient calcium and vitamin D, points out the NHS.
The health body also highlights exercise as one of the building blocks for bone health and avoiding risk factors for osteoporosis.