Daily Grape Intake May Boost Eye Health and Protect Skin, Study Finds

A new study has explored the effects of daily grape consumption on eye and skin health. Published in the journal Food & Function, it involved 34 participants over a 16-week period. The research was funded by the California Table Grape Commission, which had no involvement in the study’s conduct or findings. Participants were split into two groups. One consumed the equivalent of 1.5 cups of table grapes daily as freeze-dried powder. The other received a placebo powder instead.

Every four weeks, researchers measured macular pigment optical density (MPOD) in all participants. They also tracked the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in the skin. By the end of the study, the grape-consuming group showed a notable increase in MPOD. Their total antioxidant capacity and phenolic content had also improved. Meanwhile, the control group experienced a significant rise in skin AGEs compared to the grape group. The findings suggest that regular grape intake may enhance eye health and reduce harmful skin compounds. The study provides measurable data on the benefits of grapes over a four-month period. The results were published without influence from the funding body.