16th October 2025
World Menopause Day: how California Prunes can play a role in ‘Lifestyle Medicine’
World Menopause Day takes place on 18th October. Established by the International Menopause Society, the event highlights the experiences of women and shares advances in research, education, and support.
This year’s theme is Lifestyle Medicine, which embraces principles including healthy eating, physical activity, mental wellbeing, and sleep. With the risk of osteoporosis increasing after the menopause[1], the California Prune Board is shining a light on the science-backed nutritional benefits of prunes and the positive effects they can have on maintaining skeletal health.
Dr. Annamaria Acquaviva, Dietitian and Nutritionist, explains: “Menopause is a crucial stage for women’s bone health. As oestrogen levels decline, bone density and strength decrease, raising the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. The Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF) reports that women can lose up to 20% of their bone density in the five to seven years following menopause, due to this sharp hormonal change.
“This is not only a hormonal issue: stress, inflammation, and unhealthy habits can accelerate bone loss. It is therefore vital to protect the bone capital built in the first decades of life through conscious daily choices, such as restorative sleep, engaging in weight-bearing activities, and following a balanced diet rich in key nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, protein, and antioxidants.
“Scientific research has highlighted the role of prunes, thanks to their nutritional profile and bioactive compounds, making them a natural ally for bone health. Embracing these good habits not only reduces the risk of fractures but also helps preserve vitality and quality of life in the years to come.”
Esther Ritson-Elliott, Director of International Marketing and Communications for the California Prune Board, adds: “California Prunes are high in vitamin K and a source of manganese, both of which contribute to the maintenance of normal bones. Just a daily serving of prunes can have a positive impact on bone health in post-menopausal women thanks to their nutritional composition, as demonstrated by researchers.”
- A study published in Osteoporosis International showed that postmenopausal women who ate prunes daily for a year preserved certain measures of bone structure and estimated bone strength as compared to women who didn’t eat prunes.[2]
- Pennsylvania State University research found that 5-6 prunes a day prevented bone loss at the hip in postmenopausal women and protected against increased fracture risk.[3]
- A study published in The Journal of Nutrition highlighted how daily consumption of prunes may reduce inflammation markers connected to bone signalling pathways and reduce the effects of bone loss among postmenopausal women.[4]
High in fibre, prunes are also a source of a range of nutrients, including Vitamin K, which plays a role in maintaining healthy bones, manganese, copper, potassium, and Vitamin B6.
Esther adds: “The concept of Lifestyle Medicine embraces eating a healthy diet, which includes micronutrients and fibre. California Prunes are a great example of a natural and nutritious snack, which can support the diets of people at every age, and even more so for women before, during, and after the menopause. Our delicious and versatile California Prunes can easily be incorporated into everyday meals too, adding a natural sweetness as an ingredient in savoury dishes and baked goods.”
The California Prune Board recently announced that two major research projects focused on women’s bone health have been awarded federal co-funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Visit the California Prune Board to find out more.
ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA PRUNE BOARD
The California Prune Board was established in 1980 to represent growers and handlers under the authority of the California Secretary of Food and Agriculture. California is the world’s largest producer of premium prunes with orchards across the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys. Promoting a lifetime of wellness through the enjoyment of California Prunes, the organization leads the premium prune category with generations of craftsmanship supported by California’s leading food safety and sustainability standards. California Prunes. Prunes. For life.
[1] https://theros.org.uk/blog/2021-03-22-what-s-the-menopause-got-to-do-with-bone-health/
[2] Koltun KJ, Strock NCA, Weaver C., Hang L, Williams NI, Rogers CJ, Damani J, Ferruzzi MG, Nakatsu CH & De Souza MJ. Prunes preserve cortical density and estimated strength of the tibia in a 12-month randomized controlled trial in postmenopausal women: The Prune Study. Osteoporosis Int (2024)
[3] De Souza, M.J. (2022, March 24-26). Prunes preserve hip bone mineral density and FRAX risk in a 12-month randomized controlled trial in postmenopausal women: The prune study [Abstract presentation]. World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases, online. https://virtual.wco-iof-esceo.org/.
[4] De Souza MJ, Strock NCA, Williams NI, Lee H, Koltun KJ, Rogers C, Ferruzzi MG, Nakatsu CH, Weaver C. Prunes preserve hip bone mineral density in a 12-month randomized controlled trial in postmenopausal women: the Prune Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2022 Oct 6;116(4):897-910. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqac189. PMID: 35798020.