Eating grapes can reduce UV damage from the Sun

A new study from researchers have just discovered that the consumption of grapes can significantly increase the skin's resistance to UV rays.

This does not mean that grapes should be used in lieu of sunscreen, but they may offer additional protection which we are eager to continue learning more about. This research is exciting because our current findings provide building blocks for additional studies that may eventuate in an oral photo-protective product from a natural source.

The enhanced resistance to UV light came courtesy of an increase of polyphenols in their skin. Polyphenols are a naturally occurring family of compounds found in grapes, berries, and other fruits. They're also in products derived from them, such as wine, chocolate, tea, and legumes.

Study results indicate that oral consumption of grapes has systemic beneficial effects in healthy adults, citing prior research showing that polyphenols repair UV-ray damage, and that they can also reduce inflammation.

The researchers also found that a topical application of a grape seed extract containing the polyphenol proanthocyanidins inhibited the formation of sunburn cells.

The study finds early indications that grape consumption may also help a person avoid skin cancer, though these findings are just preliminary, and require further investigation before a definitive conclusion may be drawn.

Principle investigator, tells , "We saw a significant photo-protective effect with grape consumption and we were able to identify molecular pathways by which that benefit occurs — through repair of DNA damage and down regulation of pro-inflammatory pathways. Grapes may act as an edible sunscreen, offering an additional layer of protection in addition to topical sunscreen products."