Prunes (Dried Plums)
Also called prune, dried plum, dried plums, Prunus domestica, prune juice, California prunes.
Best grade C across 13 graded outcomes Botanical Last checked
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The short answer
From 16 sourcesIn the largest trial, 235 postmenopausal women, 50 g of prunes a day kept hip bone density steady over 12 months while it fell in controls, but a 2026 meta-analysis found only a borderline spine effect and two men's trials were null. For constipation, prunes beat psyllium in a 40-person crossover, and prune juice helped in an 84-person placebo trial.
Quick pick
From a partner brand · paid link
Newman's Own Organic Pitted Prunes, 6 oz (case of 12)
from HerbsPro
Its name matches whole pitted prunes (dried plums), one of the forms compared in our Forms table.
Label: Plain organic pitted prunes, 12 bags of 6 oz (170 g).
Best for trying one bottle: $94 one-time (checked Oct 15, 2026).
Every graded outcome on this page
13 rows · line = participants- CGrade CBone density, pooled trialsBone densityn 747
- CGrade CTotal hip bone density in postmenopausal womenBone densityn 235
- CGrade CTibia cortical density and estimated bone strengthBone densityn 235
- CGrade CSpine and forearm bone density vs dried appleBone densityn 160
- CGrade CHard stools and constipation complaintsConstipationn 84
- CGrade CBone-formation markers vs dried appleBone markersn 58
- CGrade CWhole-body bone density in older osteopenic womenBone densityn 48
- DGrade DBowel movements vs kiwifruit and psylliumConstipationn 79
- DGrade DBowel movements in chronic constipation vs psylliumConstipationn 40
- DGrade DBone-turnover markers in menBone markersn 35
- ∅No effectBlood sugar, lipids and body fat in postmenopausal womenMetabolic healthn 183
- ∅No effectBone density and strength in menBone densityn 66
- ∅No effectBone density in older men with low bone massBone densityn 59
Key facts
What it is
Prunes are dried plums (Prunus domestica). Trials fed whole prunes, usually 50 to 100 g a day, or prune juice.
Forms, side by side
2 forms named in our sources. The rest show what our data holds, and say plainly where it holds nothing yet.
Prunes (Dried Plums) forms compared
2 forms| 2 forms | Whole pitted prunes (dried plums) | Prune juice |
|---|---|---|
| Absorption in people | Not measured; trials tracked bone scans, bone markers and bowel diaries.210 | Not measured; stool form was the outcome.11 |
| GI tolerance | In the Prune Study, 41% dropped out at 100 g a day vs 15% at 50 g; dried plums and psyllium were both well tolerated in a constipation trial.210 | No adverse events or liver or kidney test changes vs placebo.11 |
| Studied for | Bone density, constipation | Constipation |
- Whole pitted prunes (dried plums)
- Prune juice
What the human research says
Human trials only, one row per outcome. The form line shows what each trial actually tested. Grades follow our evidence-grading policy.
Trial map
13 graded outcomes, largest study first13 graded outcomes: 9 improved, 1 mixed, 3 no effect. The largest, a 2026 meta-analysis of 747 people on bone density, pooled trials, found mixed results. 3 of the 13 enrolled only people aged 50 or over.
Bar: the ages a study enrolled (running to the edge when it states no upper or lower limit). Dot: only a mean age, counted as near your age within 5 years. Tick: the mean age inside a range.
12Bowel movements in chronic constipation vs psyllium: improved, mean age 38
7Bowel movements vs kiwifruit and psyllium: improved, mean age 42.7
9Bone density in older men with low bone mass: no effect, 55–80
13Bone-turnover markers in men: improved, 55–80
2Tibia cortical density and estimated bone strength: improved, mean age 62.1
3Total hip bone density in postmenopausal women: improved, mean age 62.1
4Blood sugar, lipids and body fat in postmenopausal women: no effect, mean age 62.1
11Whole-body bone density in older osteopenic women: improved, 65–79
1Bone density, pooled trials: mixed, ages not stated
5Spine and forearm bone density vs dried apple: improved, ages not stated
6Hard stools and constipation complaints: improved, ages not stated
8Bone density and strength in men: no effect, ages not stated
10Bone-formation markers vs dried apple: improved, ages not stated
1Bone density, pooled trials
Mixed · Grade C · Meta-analysis, 747 people, 2026
Participants in 11 randomised trial reports; the spine result is for postmenopausal women
Dose, result and source| Outcome | Found | People | Study | Who was studied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bone density, pooled trials | Mixed | 747 | Grade C · Meta-analysis, 2026 | Participants in 11 randomised trial reports; the spine result is for postmenopausal women |
| Tibia cortical density and estimated bone strength | Improved | 235 | Grade C · RCT, 2024 | The same postmenopausal women as the Prune Study |
| Total hip bone density in postmenopausal women | Improved | 235 | Grade C · RCT, 2022 | Postmenopausal women (mean age 62) in the US |
| Blood sugar, lipids and body fat in postmenopausal women | No effect | 183 | No-effect grade · RCT, 2024 | Women who completed the 12-month Prune Study |
| Spine and forearm bone density vs dried apple | Improved | 160 | Grade C · RCT, 2011 | Osteopenic women 1 to 10 years past menopause, all given calcium and vitamin D |
| Hard stools and constipation complaints | Improved | 84 | Grade C · RCT, 2022 | Japanese adults with chronic constipation |
| Bowel movements vs kiwifruit and psyllium | Improved | 79 | Grade D · RCT, 2021 | US adults with chronic constipation (87% women) |
| Bone density and strength in men | No effect | 66 | No-effect grade · RCT, 2022 | Adult men (age range not given in the abstract) |
| Bone density in older men with low bone mass | No effect | 59 | No-effect grade · RCT, 2026 | Men aged 55 to 80 with or at risk of osteopenia, all given calcium and vitamin D3 |
| Bone-formation markers vs dried apple | Improved | 58 | Grade C · RCT, 2002 | Postmenopausal women not on hormone therapy |
| Whole-body bone density in older osteopenic women | Improved | 48 | Grade C · RCT, 2016 | Osteopenic postmenopausal women aged 65 to 79 |
| Bowel movements in chronic constipation vs psyllium | Improved | 40 | Grade D · Crossover RCT, 2011 | Adults with chronic constipation (37 of 40 women) |
| Bone-turnover markers in men | Improved | 35 | Grade D · RCT, 2022 | Men aged 55 to 80 with some bone loss |
Every graded row
13 rowsShowing 13 of 13 outcomes. Human trials only.
CGrade CBone density, pooled trialsBone densityBorderline at the spine onlyMeta-analysis · 11 studies
n 747 · 2026
Mixed Lumbar spine density was borderline higher with prunes in postmenopausal women (SMD 1.30, 95% CI −0.03 to 2.63; I² = 98%). No other bone site and no bone-turnover marker differed from control.
- Design
- Meta-analysis, 11 studies, n = 747, 2026
- Population
- Participants in 11 randomised trial reports; the spine result is for postmenopausal women
- Form
- Prunes
- Dose
- 50–100 g a day
- Duration
- Varied
- Source
- Reference 14 · PubMed 42123941 (opens PubMed)
CGrade CTotal hip bone density in postmenopausal womenBone densityHip density held steady at 50 gRCT
n 235 · 2022
Improved Total hip bone density fell 1.1% in controls but only 0.3% with 50 g a day (P < 0.05); the 100 g group did not differ from control and had 41% dropout.
- Design
- RCT, n = 235, 2022
- Population
- Postmenopausal women (mean age 62) in the US
- Form
- Whole prunes
- Dose
- 50 g or 100 g a day
- Duration
- 12 months
- Source
- Reference 2 · PubMed 35798020 (opens PubMed)
CGrade CTibia cortical density and estimated bone strengthBone densityTibia strength preservedRCT
n 235 · 2024
Improved Cortical density (p = 0.012) and estimated strength (p = 0.024) of the tibia fell in controls but did not change in the pooled prune groups.
- Design
- RCT, n = 235, 2024
- Population
- The same postmenopausal women as the Prune Study
- Form
- Whole prunes
- Dose
- 50 g or 100 g a day (pooled)
- Duration
- 12 months
- Source
- Reference 3 · PubMed 38349471 (opens PubMed)
CGrade CSpine and forearm bone density vs dried appleBone densityHigher spine density vs appleRCT
n 160 · 2011
Improved Dried plum raised ulna and spine bone density compared with dried apple, and lowered bone-turnover markers vs baseline.
- Design
- RCT, n = 160, 2011
- Population
- Osteopenic women 1 to 10 years past menopause, all given calcium and vitamin D
- Form
- Dried plums
- Dose
- 100 g a day
- Duration
- 12 months
- Source
- Reference 5 · PubMed 21736808 (opens PubMed)
CGrade CHard stools and constipation complaintsConstipationSofter stoolsRCT
n 84 · 2022
Improved Prune juice cut hard and lumpy stools and raised normal stools without raising loose stools, and eased constipation complaints vs placebo; no adverse events or liver or kidney changes.
- Design
- RCT, n = 84, 2022
- Population
- Japanese adults with chronic constipation
- Form
- Prune juice (sorbitol, pectin, polyphenols)
- Dose
- Daily prune juice (amount not stated in the abstract)
- Duration
- Not stated in the abstract
- Source
- Reference 11 · PubMed 35971232 (opens PubMed)
CGrade CBone-formation markers vs dried appleBone markersFormation markers upRCT
n 58 · 2002
Improved Only dried plums raised IGF-I and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase vs baseline; bone-breakdown markers did not change with either fruit.
- Design
- RCT, n = 58, 2002
- Population
- Postmenopausal women not on hormone therapy
- Form
- Dried plums
- Dose
- 100 g a day
- Duration
- 3 months
- Source
- Reference 6 · PubMed 11860726 (opens PubMed)
CGrade CWhole-body bone density in older osteopenic womenBone densityBone loss slowedRCT
n 48 · 2016
Improved Both doses kept whole-body bone density from falling compared with control (P < 0.05), and the bone-breakdown marker TRAP-5b fell.
- Design
- RCT, n = 48, 2016
- Population
- Osteopenic postmenopausal women aged 65 to 79
- Form
- Dried plums
- Dose
- 50 g or 100 g a day
- Duration
- 6 months
- Source
- Reference 4 · PubMed 26902092 (opens PubMed)
DGrade DBowel movements vs kiwifruit and psylliumConstipationSimilar to kiwi and psylliumRCT
n 79 · 2021
Improved Responder rates were similar across prunes, kiwifruit and psyllium; prunes improved stool consistency (P = 0.049) and straining (P < 0.001) vs baseline, with more dissatisfaction than kiwifruit.
- Design
- RCT, n = 79, 2021
- Population
- US adults with chronic constipation (87% women)
- Form
- Prunes
- Dose
- 100 g a day
- Duration
- 4 weeks
- Source
- Reference 12 · PubMed 34074830 (opens PubMed)
DGrade DBowel movements in chronic constipation vs psylliumConstipationBeat psylliumCrossover RCT
n 40 · 2011
Improved Complete spontaneous bowel movements per week and stool consistency improved more with dried plums than psyllium (P < 0.05); straining and global symptoms did not differ.
- Design
- Crossover RCT, n = 40, 2011
- Population
- Adults with chronic constipation (37 of 40 women)
- Form
- Dried plums
- Dose
- 50 g twice a day (6 g fiber)
- Duration
- 3 weeks per treatment
- Source
- Reference 10 · PubMed 21323688 (opens PubMed)
DGrade DBone-turnover markers in menBone markersMarker shifts onlyRCT
n 35 · 2022
Improved 100 g lowered serum osteocalcin (p < 0.001); 50 g lowered osteoprotegerin and osteocalcin and raised the OPG:RANKL ratio (p = 0.041).
- Design
- RCT, n = 35, 2022
- Population
- Men aged 55 to 80 with some bone loss
- Form
- Prunes
- Dose
- 50 g or 100 g a day
- Duration
- 3 months
- Source
- Reference 7 · PubMed 35057457 (opens PubMed)
∅No effectBlood sugar, lipids and body fat in postmenopausal womenMetabolic healthNo change in sugar or lipidsRCT
n 183 · 2024
No effect Glucose control and blood lipids did not change vs control; android fat rose 3.19% in controls and was flat with 100 g a day (P < 0.01).
- Design
- RCT, n = 183, 2024
- Population
- Women who completed the 12-month Prune Study
- Form
- Whole prunes
- Dose
- 50 g or 100 g a day
- Duration
- 12 months
- Source
- Reference 13 · PubMed 38490532 (opens PubMed)
∅No effectBone density and strength in menBone densityNo density changeRCT
n 66 · 2022
No effect Bone density of the total body, spine, hip and ulna did not change in either group; bone-breakdown markers TRAP5b and CTX fell with dried plum vs baseline.
- Design
- RCT, n = 66, 2022
- Population
- Adult men (age range not given in the abstract)
- Form
- Dried plums
- Dose
- 100 g a day
- Duration
- 12 months
- Source
- Reference 8 · PubMed 34714130 (opens PubMed)
∅No effectBone density in older men with low bone massBone densityNo added benefitRCT
n 59 · 2026
No effect Total and lumbar bone density did not change beyond what calcium and vitamin D3 achieved; the authors call marker differences exploratory.
- Design
- RCT, n = 59, 2026
- Population
- Men aged 55 to 80 with or at risk of osteopenia, all given calcium and vitamin D3
- Form
- Prunes
- Dose
- 50 g or 100 g a day
- Duration
- 12 months
- Source
- Reference 9 · PubMed 42356242 (opens PubMed)
What the numbers add up to
Each point is worked out from the data and the sources numbered on this page, with the arithmetic shown under it. It adds no new data and is not medical advice.
The lower dose did better in practice
In the 235-woman Prune Study, 50 g a day preserved hip density while 100 g did not differ from control and lost 41% of its group to dropout.2
Bone results differ by sex
Studied doses
Doses used in research, shown against the official limits. They describe the studies, not a recommendation for you.
Studied doses in research, not advice. These are amounts used in research, not personal advice. Your clinician or pharmacist can say what fits you.
Doses studied in human trials
Interactions and safety
Published interactions only: each row cites a source. No row means none was found in our sources, not that a combination is safe.
Interactions
0 agentsNone found in our sources.
Check with what you take
Kept on this device onlyAdd what you take. We list every interaction our evidence profiles cite between Prunes and your picks, and between your picks.
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Add a supplement or medicine you take to check it against Prunes.
Starting from one medicine? The interaction checker rates how serious each pair is, on a curated list of 19 entries for 11 medicines. This cabinet has no severity rating: it lists every interaction row our supplement pages cite.
Who should be careful
3 groups- Medicines and surgery
- NCCIH advises that supplements may interact with medications or pose risks before surgery, and to tell your health care providers about everything you use.1
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding and children
- NCCIH notes that many dietary supplements have not been tested in pregnant women, nursing mothers or children.1
- Interactions
- No drug interactions with prunes are documented: NCCIH, NIH ODS, LiverTox, LactMed and MedlinePlus have no prune entry, and the trials cited here did not report any. NCCIH advises telling your health care providers about every supplement you use.1
How to read the label
What to check on the Supplement Facts panel.
How to read the label
1 checksWhere to buy Prunes (Dried Plums)
Products from brands we partner with that contain Prunes (Dried Plums). Check the amount per serving against the doses studied above, and the label for other ingredients.
Prunes (Dried Plums) products from partner brands
1 product Paid links · we earn a commission- Quick pickHerbsProNewman's Own Organic Pitted Prunes, 6 oz (case of 12)
Plain organic pitted prunes, 12 bags of 6 oz (170 g); 50 g a day, the dose in the 235-woman bone trial, is about 5 to 6 prunes
$94.00one-timeChecked Oct 15, 2026
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to common questions; the numbers link to the sources below.
Common questions
7 answersDo prunes help bone density?
Do prunes work for constipation?
Do prunes affect blood sugar or cholesterol?
In the year-long Prune Study, glucose control and blood lipids did not change vs control.13
Do prunes affect weight or blood pressure?
A 2025 meta-analysis of 14 studies found no significant change in blood pressure, BMI, waist size or fat mass with prunes, but body weight fell (the abstract does not give the size of the drop).16
Are prunes safe?
How many prunes a day were studied?
Do prunes interact with medicines?
No interactions are documented: NCCIH, NIH ODS, LiverTox, LactMed and MedlinePlus have no prune entry, and the trials here reported none. NCCIH advises telling your health care providers about any supplement you use.1
Sources
16 sources: trial abstracts, NIH fact sheets and reference databases. Numbers in the text link here.
Sources cited on this page
16 sources- 1Using Dietary Supplements WiselyFact sheet National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), 2019 · nccih.nih.gov
- 2Prunes preserve hip bone mineral density in a 12-month randomized controlled trial in postmenopausal women: the Prune Study.RCT Am J Clin Nutr, 2022 · PMID 35798020
- 3Prunes preserve cortical density and estimated strength of the tibia in a 12-month randomized controlled trial in postmenopausal women: The Prune Study.RCT Osteoporos Int, 2024 · PMID 38349471
- 4The effect of two doses of dried plum on bone density and bone biomarkers in osteopenic postmenopausal women: a randomized, controlled trial.RCT Osteoporos Int, 2016 · PMID 26902092
- 5Comparative effects of dried plum and dried apple on bone in postmenopausal women.RCT Br J Nutr, 2011 · PMID 21736808
- 6Dried plums improve indices of bone formation in postmenopausal women.RCT J Womens Health Gend Based Med, 2002 · PMID 11860726
- 7The Short-Term Effect of Prunes in Improving Bone in Men.RCT Nutrients, 2022 · PMID 35057457
- 8Effects of 12 Months Consumption of 100 g Dried Plum (Prunes) on Bone Biomarkers, Density, and Strength in Men.RCT J Med Food, 2022 · PMID 34714130
- 9Prune Consumption and Bone Health in Older Men: A One-Year Randomized Controlled Trial.RCT Nutrients, 2026 · PMID 42356242
- 10Randomised clinical trial: dried plums (prunes) vs. psyllium for constipation.Crossover RCT Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 2011 · PMID 21323688
- 11Prune Juice Containing Sorbitol, Pectin, and Polyphenol Ameliorates Subjective Complaints and Hard Feces While Normalizing Stool in Chronic Constipation: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.RCT Am J Gastroenterol, 2022 · PMID 35971232
- 12Exploratory Comparative Effectiveness Trial of Green Kiwifruit, Psyllium, or Prunes in US Patients With Chronic Constipation.RCT Am J Gastroenterol, 2021 · PMID 34074830
- 13Effects of Prune (Dried Plum) Supplementation on Cardiometabolic Health in Postmenopausal Women: An Ancillary Analysis of a 12-Month Randomized Controlled Trial, The Prune Study.RCT J Nutr, 2024 · PMID 38490532
- 14Effects of Prunes on Bone Density in Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Meta-analysis Nutrients, 2026 · PMID 42123941
- 15Systematic review and meta-analysis: Foods, drinks and diets and their effect on chronic constipation in adults.Meta-analysis Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 2024 · PMID 37905980
- 16The effects of prune products consumption on anthropometric measurements and blood pressure in adults: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.Meta-analysis Diabetes Metab Syndr, 2025 · PMID 39721492
What changed
Every dated change to this page: what changed, who made it and why.
Change log
2 entries| Date | Change | Who and why |
|---|---|---|
| evidence, summary, key facts, who should be careful, FAQ | Added a 2026 bone-density meta-analysis (PMID 42123941, borderline spine effect only) to the evidence, summary and FAQ; 2024 constipation (PMID 37905980) and 2025 weight and blood pressure (PMID 39721492) meta-analyses in the FAQ. Interaction check: NCCIH, NIH ODS, LiverTox, LactMed and MedlinePlus have no prune entry and no interaction is published, so the interactions list stays empty with a note under who should be careful. Fact-checked against the sources; corrected: the weight answer no longer calls the weight drop slight (its size is not reported in the abstract). | Writer: Kymata Health EditorialTrigger: A–Z page audit |
| all | Initial editorial evidence review. Every PMID checked against NCBI E-utilities esummary (title, year, journal; none retracted) and each cited abstract read; numbers taken from the abstracts (full text only for the prune-juice enrolment of 84 and its MIKI funding). Funding disclosed per study: California Prune Board / California Dried Plum Board (Prune Study, via Europe PMC and PubMed grant records), USDA (2022 and 2026 men's trials), MIKI Corporation (prune juice), NIH NCATS (cardiometabolic analysis), San Diego State University (2016 trial); other abstracts name no funder (disclosed as not stated). Nulls shown: two men's bone-density trials and the Prune Study's glucose and lipid outcomes. No prune-specific page exists on our approved safety sources, so safety rows use only NCCIH general supplement guidance. Where to buy: Newman's Own Organic Pitted Prunes (only a 12-bag case is listed; checked 2026-10-15). | Writer: Kymata Health EditorialTrigger: new page |
Supplement & Nutrient Encyclopedia. Educational information only; it is not medical advice and does not replace a clinician. Dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Statements about supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA.