Dried Plums for Bone Health in Older Postmenopausal Women

Forty-five randomly assigned into one of three treatment groups: 1) 50g dried plum; 2) 100g dried plum; and 3) control (0g dried plum). All groups received 500mg calcium and 400 IU vitamin D as a daily supplement. Blood samples were collected at baseline, 3 and 6 months to assess biomarkers of bone turnover. Physical activity recall and 3-day food records were obtained at baseline, 3 and 6 months to examine physical activity and dietary confounders as potential covariates

Inclusion criteria

• BMD t-score of L1-L4 between -1 to -2.5 standard deviation of the mean
• Age 65 to 79

Exclusion criteria

• BMD t-score at any site fell below 2.5 standard deviation of the mean
• Subjects treated with calcitonin, bisphosphonates, raloxifene and/or anabolic agents such as parathyroid hormone and growth hormone, or steroids within three months before the start of the study
• Metabolic bone disease, renal disease, cancer, CVD, diabetes mellitus, respiratory disease, gastrointestinal disease, liver disease or other chronic diseases, heavy smoking (more than twenty cigarettes/day) and current use of any prescription medications known to alter bone and calcium metabolism
• Regularly consumed dried plum or prune juice were not included in the study.