Eating grapes 'may protect eye health'
People who regularly include grapes in their diet plans may benefit from protection against vision loss, new research suggests.Scientists at Fordham University in New York believe the antioxidant properties of grapes may help to prevent the development of age-related macular degeneration - a common and debilitating condition that affects people's eyesight.
The researchers carried out studies with mice, some of which were given a grape-enriched diet while others received lutein, a plant chemical that is often recommended for healthy eyes.
They found that grapes provided more protection against oxidative damage of the retina than lutein, and that mice which had a grape-enriched diet were less prone to blindness.
Lead researcher Dr Silvia Finnemann, whose findings are published in the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine, described the results as "remarkable".
"A lifelong diet enriched in natural antioxidants, such as those in grapes, appears to be directly beneficial for RPE (retinal pigment epithelium cells) and retinal health and function," she concluded.
Kathleen Nave, president of the California Table Grape Commission, commented that the study findings were "good news" for consumers who enjoy eating grapes, which appear to provide "an array of health benefits".
Grapes are known to contain a number of antioxidant compounds, including the chemical resveratrol, which may help to improve blood sugar levels and reduce inflammation.
