Good news for anyone who enjoys grapes and also enjoys not having their skin turn into a leather handbag: a new study suggests the fruit's skin-protecting powers may extend to nearly everyone, not just the lucky 30% to 50% who previously benefited.
The research, published in ACS Nutrition Science and funded by the California Table Grape Commission (because who else is going to fund grape science?), had volunteers eat the equivalent of three servings of whole grapes daily for two weeks. Scientists then analyzed gene expression in their skin before and after, both with and without low-dose UV exposure.
What they found was that grape consumption consistently altered gene expression in all participants, even though each person started with a unique pattern of skin gene activity. The changes pointed toward increased keratinization and cornification - fancy terms for building a stronger outer barrier against environmental damage.
The team also measured malondialdehyde, a marker of oxidative stress, after UV exposure. Grape-eaters showed lower levels, suggesting their skin was less stressed. "We are now certain that grapes act as a superfood and mediate a nutrigenomic response in humans," said John Pezzuto, Ph.D., Professor and Dean of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Western New England University. He added that the effect probably extends to other organs like liver, muscle, kidney, and even brain - basically, grapes are coming for your entire body.
The study was conducted by Western New England University and Oregon State University. Funding was provided by the California Table Grape Commission, which presumably has a vested interest in making sure you never skip the fruit aisle.