Our bone regenerates naturally, which is what makes it strong. But when you have osteoporosis, bone density and bone structure are depleted. The bone becomes fragile, fractures are favored.
Osteoporosis affects nearly 40% of French women aged 65, Health Insurance estimates, and up to 70% of women aged 80 and over.
This disease is more specifically feminine since it is two to three times more common in womenimpacted by the drop in their hormones at menopause (the decrease in estrogen in particular alters bone quality).
However, men can also have osteoporosis and suffer from its consequences. They are therefore also concerned by the work of this new study, carried out by a team from Penn State University in the United States and published in the journal Osteoporosis International.
A fruit fresh in summer, dried in winter
What do we learn there? That dairy products, essential foods for bone health due to their high calcium content, could have severe competition with this fruit. Which ? Plum or its dried version, prune.
According to the scientists who conducted the study, plums and prunes contain bioactive compounds like polyphenols that can alleviate inflammatory pathways leading to bone loss.
For the first time, the benefits of plum consumption could be validated in three dimensions, which gives a better vision of the impact of fruits on bone quality.
“This is the first randomized controlled trial that examines both bone structure, geometry and estimated strength”, said Mary Jane De Souza, professor of kinesiology and physiology at Penn State University in the United States. “In our study, we found that daily consumption of prunes had an impact on factors linked to fracture risk. It is clinically invaluable.”
How much plum (or prune) to eat per day to benefit from maximum positive effects on bone health? 4 to 6 per day according to researchers.
