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Dried Plum Consumption and Bone Mineral Density Retention in Postmenopausal Women: a Follow‐up Study

Osteoporosis is a chronic condition characterized by low bone density and an increased risk of fracture. Although it affects both women and men, there is a much greater incidence in postmenopausal women. Certain lifestyle and nutritional factors are known to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and thereby the risk of fracture. In terms of nutrition, dried plum has been shown to be one of the most efficacious interventions in preventing and even reversing bone loss in postmenopausal women. In 2010, we finished a study in which we examined the effect of consuming 100 g dried plum versus a comparative control fruit (75 g dried apples) daily for one year in 160 postmenopausal women with osteopenia. Our published data indicated that women consuming dried plum had significantly higher bone mineral density (BMD) of the ulna and spine in comparison with those consuming dried apple. The purpose of the present study was to conduct a follow‐up evaluation on the extent to which individuals who received the dried plum intervention were able to retain BMD compared with those who received the dried apple intervention. A total of 20 participants were available for this follow‐up evaluation. BMD of the lumbar spine, forearm, hip, and whole body were assessed using DXA. Results showed that those who were in the dried plum group had significantly higher values of BMD of spine (P=0.012; %6) and ulna (P=0.002; %23) compared with those in the dried apple group. Importantly, participants in either group did not regularly consume dried plums as noted in their diet history. Our findings suggest that women in the dried plum group retained their BMD to a greater extent than those in the dried apple group, even after a 5‐year period in the absence of regular dried plum consumption. Our observations suggest a long‐lasting bone‐protective effect of dried plum; however, other dietary, lifestyle, and pharmaceutical factors need to be evaluated.