A study from Western New England University, published in ACS Nutrition Science, suggests that grapes may influence gene expression, providing an additional defense system to the skin against sun damage. The researchers observed significant changes in the DNA of the participants after consuming grapes.

The volunteers completed a restricted diet and then ingested a concentrated grape powder. Skin samples were analyzed under various conditions and it was found that eating grapes reduced levels of malondialdehyde, a marker of cell damage.

At the beginning of the study, Fox News Digital quotes, each volunteer presented their own pattern of genetic activity. However, these patterns changed markedly after eating grapes, after being exposed to UV light, and when eating grapes was combined with UV light exposure.

Research implications

Dr. John Pezzuto, dean of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Western New England University and director of the study, notes that the benefits of grapes may extend beyond the skin, influencing other organs such as the liver and brain.

“We are now confident that grapes act as a superfood and mediate a nutrigenomic response in humans,” Pezzuto said in a press release.

"We observed this in the largest organ of the body, the skin. Changes in gene expression indicated improvements in skin health," he added.

However, the research highlights that these results should not be considered a substitute for traditional sunscreens.

It had significant limitations, including a small sample size, as usable data was only obtained from four participants. Additionally, the researchers caution that these results may not be applicable to a more diverse population.

Effects of grapes compared to other superfoods

Grapes offer skin benefits similar to other superfoods, but with some mechanisms and emphases of their own: they stand out for their content of polyphenols (especially resveratrol) that act as antioxidants, anti-inflammatories and modulators of gene expression, and therefore provide protection against UV damage and help maintain the skin's barrier and elasticity.

Comparison with other superfoods

What this means for skin in practice

Practical recommendations

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