2023-10-06 07:41:14
At work, published in a scientific journal Food & Function, scientists looked at how the regular presence of grapes in the diet affects the accumulation of biomarkers of eye health, such as macular pigments (carotenoids that determine the structure of the central part of the retina) and others. This is the first such study in humans. His results reinforce findings from earlier preliminary work showing that grapes help protect retinal structure and function.
Older people have an increased risk of eye diseases and vision problems. This is due to factors such as oxidative stress and high levels of advanced glycation end products (advanced glycation end-products, AGEs) in the eyeball. The latter leads to damage to retinal vessels, disruption of cellular functions and oxidative stress, which contributes to the development of many eye diseases.
Dietary antioxidants can reduce oxidative stress and inhibit the formation of advanced glycation end products. This allows you to improve the condition of the retina, in particular, increase the optical density of the macular pigment.
One of the natural sources of antioxidants and polyphenols is grapes. Its beneficial properties were the subject of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study conducted in Singapore.
Over 16 weeks, 34 elderly participants consumed either 46 grams of freeze-dried table grape powder or the same amount of placebo powder (control group) daily. In parallel, the subjects were assessed every four weeks for the optical density of macular pigment, the level of carotenoid antioxidants in the skin and advanced glycation end products, as well as consumption lutein with food. In addition, every eight weeks, doctors measured lutein concentration, total antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content in plasma (meaning non-synthetic phenols).
People who consumed grape powder had significantly increased macular pigment optical density, plasma antioxidant capacity, and total phenolic content compared to those who took placebo. In addition, the level of advanced glycation end products in the skin significantly increased in subjects from the control group.
“Our study is the first to show that eating grapes has beneficial effects on eye health. This is encouraging given the growth of the planet’s aging population. Grapes are a simple and affordable product, and one and a half cups of these fruits a day are enough for a positive effect,” stated one of the authors of the work, Dr. Jung Eun Kim (Jung Eun Kim).
The grapes bear and other benefit for the human body. Thanks to more than 150 flavonoids and other antioxidants contained in this sunny berry, it prolongs youth, boosts immunity, supports the cardiovascular system and even helps fight cancer. Eating grapes is also known to increase the diversity of gut bacteria and lower cholesterol levels.
However, do not forget regarding the calorie content of grapes, possible allergic reactions and bloating. According to nutritionists, as with any other food, you need to take moderation with grapes.
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