Daily Grape Consumption May Help Protect Skin From Sun Damage

A new study found that daily grape consumption may strengthen the skin’s resistance to damage caused by sunlight and help delay signs of aging. Researchers said the findings could also be relevant to protecting skin health and reducing the risk of skin cancer. In the study, participants who ate three servings of grapes a day for two weeks showed positive changes in skin genes. The researchers also recorded a decline in a marker linked to oxidative stress and cell damage. The team said the reduction suggests the skin may become less vulnerable to the harmful effects of the sun. They added that grapes appear to activate genes that reinforce the skin barrier and help preserve moisture. The study indicated that the effect is thought to begin through an interaction between compounds in grapes and bacteria in the gut. Scientists said the results may have broader significance for maintaining skin health.