Research recently published in Food & Function investigated the relationship between grape consumption and eye health through a study of older adults in Singapore.
Give me some background first.
Oxidative stress is a key factor influencing visual impairment, leading theories to emerge about the effectiveness of utilizing antioxidant-rich foods such as grapes to reduce this risk.
While preliminary studies have shown a connection with grapes and improved retinal structure and function, this is the first human study to investigate this relationship.
Now talk about the study.
Researchers performed a 16-week double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel study.
Participants consisted of 34 men and women (aged 60 to 85), who were then sorted into intervention and placebo groups.
Go on…
The intervention group was given 46g/day of freeze-dried table grape powder to consume while the control group was given a placebo version in the same measurement.
What were the outcome measures?
Throughout the 16-week study, the following factors were assessed:
- Macular pigment optical density (MPOD)
- Carotenoids status
- Markers of oxidative stress
- Markers of endothelial function
- Body size and blood pressure
- Dietary assessment
Findings?
In comparison to the control, the intervention group was determined to have a significant increase in MPOD, plasma antioxidant capacity, and total phenolic content, all positive measures.
In contrast, the control group observed a significant increase in the harmful measure of advanced glycation end product (AGEs).
The intervention group showed no such increase, displaying the effects of the grapes to contribute to a “downregulation of AGEs.”
Expert opinion?
Per the study authors, “Our study is the first to show that grape consumption beneficially impacts eye health in humans which is very exciting, especially with a growing aging population."
Take home.
This study displays a key connection between grapes and improved eye health among older adults. However, additional research involving participants outside of Singapore may be needed to determine if this extends outside of this demographic.
With grapes being a readily accessible antioxidant-rich fruit, this has the potential to be beneficial to the population, especially if further confirmed by additional research.