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New Research Suggested Grape Consumption For Protecting Skin From UV Damage

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun causes UV damage. The consequences of UV rays are sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer.


Written by Merlin Mathew

On Jan 23, 2023 – 3 minutes read

New Research Suggests Grape Consumption For Protecting Skin From UV Damage

Five authors worked together on the effects of grape consumption against UV protection. John M. Pezzuto, Asim Dave, Eun-Jung Park, Diren Beyoğlu, and Jeffrey R. Idle. are the authors of the study. Their study revealed that eating grapes protects the skin against UV damage. The study was published in the journal Antioxidants.

An important takeaway from the study is the correlation between the gut and skin of the body. This was found out because those participants also had microbiomic and metabolomic profiles. This study was conducted on 15 males and 15 females, together making a total of 30 participants. The average age of the participants is 41.6 years. Participants of the study who ate 2 ¼ cups regularly for two weeks showed high resistance toward sunburn(1).

The natural component that is responsible for this high resistance is called polyphenols which is present in grapes. The study suggests that these polyphenols are responsible for the restoration of skin damage caused by UV rays.

Previous Research Study Reinforced Some Facts

This study also complemented the results of the previous research which was conducted related to this area. The previous study consisted of 29 participants. The researchers examined the influence of consuming whole grape powder i.e frozen and dried grape powder. The grape powder contained both fresh seeded and seedless red, black, and green grapes.

New Research Suggests Grape Consumption For Protecting Skin From UV Damage

Participants of this study were also assigned the same intake, 2 ¼ cups of grape powder per day for two weeks. Researchers measured participants’ skin reactions against UV light exposure both before and after the intake of grapes. The numbers revealed that the threshold of one’s UV resistance increased and the visible reddish skin reduced after 24 hours. A metabolomic analysis of gut microbiome, blood, and urine samples was also conducted.

Results disclosed that one-third of the subjects developed UV resistance after eating grapes, and these same subjects exhibited significant microbiome and metabolome differences.

It was noticed that the same three urinary metabolites were depressed in the UV-resistant group. 2’-deoxyribose is one metabolite in particular that is a strong indicator of decreased UV damage. Additionally, the same three subjects showcased a decent response to UV resistance after stopping the intake of grapes for more than four weeks. Thus the study revealed a section of the population is able to resist UV rays with the help of healthy fruit, grapes.

A major population of Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer due to exposure to sun rays. One out of five Americans suffers from skin cancer by the age of 70. About 90% of nonmelanoma skin cancers and 86% of melanoma skin cancers are developed due to excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Skin aging is also primarily caused by sun damage.

Potential Positives And Negatives Of Eating Grapes

Doctors prescribe grapes as an addition to the diet as they act as an antioxidant. Several studies have revealed that it enhances heart health. Grapes can help with inflammation of heart arteries, plaque build-up in arteries, platelet aggregation, and cholesterol levels.

Since many grape varieties are filled with the micronutrient Vitamin C, it’s very effective to boost the immune system of the body. Grapes reduce stress levels and enhance the functioning of immune cells. As mentioned above it also improves gut health of the body.

Despite the goodness, there are consequences that can come along with the intake of grapes in high quantities. A major concern is that it increases blood sugar levels due to the presence of high natural sugars. Also, it can contribute to weight gain. Due to the fiber content in the fruit, one can feel more hungry after a glass of grape juice. A study found that the chances of being overweight and obese among children are extreme in cases of grape juices with added sugar.

  1. MDPI. (2022). Short-Term Grape Consumption Diminishes UV-Induced Skin Erythema . (Online). Available at:

    https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/11/12/2372

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merlin

A curious storyteller with diverse interests ranging from governance, finance, politics, teaching, and writing. My passion for teaching and writing led me to be in meaningful experiences. I am at peace when I share my thoughts with the world. Trying to make a spark through my actions, ’cause you never know how the tiniest of your thoughts make an impact.

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