Research suggests that grapes possess numerous health benefits. One study found that consuming grapes may enhance eye health by protecting against oxidative stress damage and preserving retinal function and structure. The retina, which contains photoreceptor cells that respond to light, can suffer from degenerative diseases that lead to vision impairment and even blindness. Oxidative stress has been linked to retinal disease, including age-related macular degeneration. In the study, mice that consumed a grape-supplemented diet maintained the thickness of their retinae, photoreceptor quantity and activity, despite experiencing oxidative stress. By contrast, mice that did not consume grapes suffered retinal damage, a reduction in photoreceptor quantity and loss of photoreceptor activity.
Another study investigated the effects of consuming grapes on individuals with early memory decline. It found that consuming grapes twice a day for six months helped protect against metabolic activity decline in brain areas linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Individuals who consumed a grape-enriched diet also exhibited improvements in working memory and attention performance. The study also found that regular grape consumption helped support brain health by reducing oxidative stress, promoting healthy brain blood flow, and exerting anti-inflammatory effects.
A third study suggested that consuming grapes could help alleviate pain related to symptomatic knee osteoarthritis and improve joint flexibility and mobility. The study involved 72 women and men with osteoarthritis of the knee, who were given either a placebo powder or grapes in the form of freeze-dried grape powder. Those who consumed the grape-enriched diet experienced significant reductions in self-reported pain associated with activity and a reduction in total knee symptoms.
A fourth study revealed that resveratrol, a compound found in grapes, can help control inflammation caused by bacterial pathogens associated with upper respiratory tract inflammatory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, asthma, and middle ear infection. Resveratrol was found to inhibit an important bacterial pathogen leading to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and middle ear infection by increasing the production of a negative regulator known as MyD88 short, which can tightly control inflammation caused by the pathogen.
Finally, a study showed that consuming grapes helps protect against skin damage caused by exposure to ultraviolet light. Individuals who consumed grape powder had increased sunburn resistance and a decrease in UV damage markers at the cellular level. Polyphenols found in grapes are believed to be responsible for this benefit. The study found that consuming grapes could provide an additional layer of protection against UV exposure, along with topical sunscreen products.
