Menopause occurs in women around the age of 50. This normal and natural phenomenon corresponds to a stoppage of ovarian functioning: in postmenopausal women, the production of estrogens by the body stops.
However, estrogens participate in particular in the phenomenon of bone construction: this is the reason why osteoporosis (a disease which exposes to a greater risk of fracture) is more frequent in postmenopausal women, with 40% of French women aged 50 years and over concerned.
Eat a handful of plums a day to protect your bones during menopause
Good news: according to a new study carried out by the State University of Pennsylvania (in the United States), consuming between 50 grams and 100 grams of plums a day for at least 6 months would help combat bone loss caused by upheavals menopausal hormones.
To reach this conclusion, the American researchers (who published their work in the specialized journal Advances in Nutrition) reviewed the results of 28 previous studies: they concluded that plums (because they contain interesting levels of phenolic acid, flavonoids, carotenoids, vitamin K, fiber …) contributed reduce general body inflammation and oxidative stress, while protecting bone density.
Did you know ? The word “plums” covers about 2000 varieties of fruit. If all plums come from a plum tree (Prunus domestica), there are thousands of different plums: in France, we especially know the mirabelle plum, the quetsche, the queens-claude and the Ente plum – which gives the famous Agen prune. In France, the plum season extends from the end of July to the beginning of October; however, plums can be frozen for cooking throughout the year.
Read also :
- 15 things to know about osteoporosis
- Health of seniors: the 15 keys to longevity
- World Osteoporosis Day: 3 Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
