Eating grapes may help protect eye health, according to new research published in the journal Nutrition.
The laboratory study was conducted at the University of Miami, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and showed that a grape‐enriched diet preserved the retina’s structure and function against damaging oxidative stress.
Natural components in grapes that help promote antioxidant activity are thought to contribute to these beneficial effects. The retina is the part of the eye that contains the cells that respond to light, known as photoreceptors. Degeneration of the retina causes progressive photoreceptor death and irreversible vision impairment, including blindness, affecting millions of people in the U.S. Oxidative stress is strongly associated with retinal disease.
Study results showed that the group consuming the grape‐enriched diet maintained retinal thickness, the quantity of photoreceptors, and the amount of photoreceptor activity, despite the oxidative stress insult. Conversely, in the non‐grape consuming group, retinas were damaged, displaying holes and lesions, and with a significant decrease in thickness. Additionally there was a 40% reduction in photoreceptors and significant loss of photoreceptor activity.
“Adding grapes to the diet actually preserved retinal health in the presence of oxidative stress in this study,” said Dr. Abigail Hackam, lead investigator of the study. “These results are very exciting and build on the growing evidence that suggests a very real benefit for grape consumption and eye health.”