Prunes May Blunt Adverse Effects of Oral Contraceptives on Bone Health in Young Adult Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: Oral contraceptives (OCs) may promote bone loss, thereby leading to suboptimal bone health later in life. Research is needed to determine whether dietary interventions can blunt OC-related bone loss; prune consumption, shown to be effective in improving bone density in previous studies, could provide a safe and inexpensive solution. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine whether 12 mo of consuming 50 g of prunes daily would prevent bone loss or increase bone accrual in young (18–25 y) OC users. Methods: Ninety women were randomly assigned to a control group not using OCs (non-OC), an OC group not consuming prunes (OC), and an OC group consuming 50 g prunes daily (OC+P) for 12 mo. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at baseline and after 12 mo via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (at all sites) and peripheral quantitative computed tomography (at tibia). Blood samples were collected at baseline and after 6 and 12 mo to assess biomarkers. Results: There were no significant differences between groups for dietary intake, physical activity, serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b, or bone alkaline phosphatase concentrations. Baseline serum C-reactive protein and vitamin D concentrations were higher (P < 0.001) for OC and OC+P groups than those in the non-OC group. Serum parathyroid hormone was higher for non-OC group than OC group at both baseline (P = 0.049) and final (P = 0.032). BMD measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at all sites did not change among groups. Ultradistal radius BMD increased over time (P < 0.05) within non-OC and OC+P groups. Trabecular density of the distal tibia as measured by peripheral quantitative computed tomography decreased from baseline to 12 mo within the OC group only (P = 0.016). Conclusions: OC use tended to promote minor negative effects on bone and consuming prunes tended to provide a potential protective effect on trabecular density of the distal tibia and ultradistal radius.This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04785131.

Keywords

• bone health
• dried plums
• oral contraceptives
• women’s health
• osteoporosis