Ditch the carrots: A small new study found that consuming just a few handfuls of grapes daily for four months was enough to improve key indicators of eye health in older adults
This may be because many eye degenerations are due to oxidative stress, and grapes are rich in antioxidants.
Researchers at the National University of Singapore had 34 adults consume 1.5 cups of grapes or a placebo a day for 16 weeks.
Those who took grapes showed significant increases in macular pigment optical density (MPOD), plasma antioxidant capacity, and total phenolic content compared to those who took a placebo.
Additionally, those who did not consume grapes observed a significant increase in harmful ocular advanced glycation end products (AGEs). High levels of AGEs, along with oxidative stress, are important risk factors for eye disease.
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Peer-reviewed, based on a double-blind randomized trial The study was published in Journal “Food & Function”.
Previous studies have shown that AGEs can contribute to many eye diseases by damaging the vascular components of the retina, impairing cellular function, and causing oxidative stress. Preliminary studies in mice found that consuming grapes protects retinal structure and function.
Grapes, a natural source of antioxidants and other polyphenols, may have beneficial effects on the retina, including reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting the formation of AGEs, and improving MPOD.
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“Our study is the first to show that grape consumption has a beneficial effect on human eye health, which is of great interest, especially as our population ages,” said study co-author John. Dr. Eun Kim said.
“Grapes are a simple and readily available fruit, and studies have shown that regular amounts of just one and a half cups a day can be beneficial.
“Regular consumption of grapes may improve eye health in older adults, especially in increasing MPOD. This may be due to increased plasma total antioxidant capacity and phenolic content, and downregulation of AGEs I can explain.”
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