More BrandsFor figure-conscious people with a sweet tooth, grapes make an excellent snack. Not only is the fruit delicious but it also delivers a number of health benefits. It now turns out that grapes may also be quite beneficial for eye health. More specifically, their regular consumption could offer protection against retinal deterioration.
This was the focus of a research study whose findings were presented at the recently held annual conference of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. According to the study report, a grape-rich diet can exercise a protective effect on the structure and function of the retina.
The study in question was carried out at the University of Miami, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. The researchers sought to establish whether a grape-enriched diet could protect photoreceptors – the eye cells responding to light. Their theory was tested on mice with retinal degeneration. The diet of the animals included an amount of grapes corresponding to three daily servings of the fruit for people. Two other groups of animals were fed control diets.
The analysis of the results revealed that the grape-consuming group benefited from significant protection of retinal function. Rod and cone photoreceptor responses were three times higher in the group that was fed grapes compared to the controls. In addition, the retinas were thicker in the case of grape-eating mice. Further tests showed that grape consumption was linked to a reduction in inflammatory proteins and an increase in protective proteins in the retina.
Lead investigator Abigail Hackam. described the findings as “very exciting.” She summed up the results by noting that grapes seemed to be working in multiple ways to improve eye health.
