Dried Chinese Dates May Help Postmenopausal Women Maintain Bone Health, Study Suggests

Dried Chinese dates, also known as black dates, may offer a natural way for postmenopausal women to preserve bone health, according to a recent study highlighted by nephrologist Dr. Chiang Shou-shan.

The research, a randomized controlled trial involving 235 postmenopausal women aged over 62, indicated that a daily intake of 50 grams of dried Chinese dates, approximately five to six dates, could prevent a decline in total hip bone mineral density over 12 months.

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Eating the right food can help preserve bone mass.

Participants were divided into three groups: a control group, a group consuming 50 grams daily, and a group consuming 100 grams daily. Bone density was tracked every six months. The study found that while the control group showed an increased risk of hip fracture after six months, the groups consuming dried dates maintained stable hip bone fracture risk assessment scores.

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Daily intake of 50 grams of dried Chinese dates can prevent the decline of total hip bone mineral density in postmenopausal women after six months, and the effect can last for 12 months.

Notably, the 50-gram dosage group exhibited better adherence and retention rates (90.2% adherence, 22% dropout) compared to the 100-gram group (87.1% adherence, 41% dropout). This suggests the lower dose is a more practical and sustainable option.

Dr. Chiang addressed concerns about the sugar content of dried dates, citing a follow-up study by the same researchers which found no adverse effects on blood sugar control or lipid profiles after 12 months of daily consumption. The findings position dried Chinese dates as a valuable non-pharmacological adjunct strategy for maintaining bone density and potentially lowering fracture risk in postmenopausal women.

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Given the higher adherence and retention rates in the 50-gram dried date group within 12 months, the study suggests that the 50-gram dose is a valuable non-drug auxiliary strategy.