Credit: Aline Ponce 

National University of Singapore researchers found consuming grapes for 16 weeks improved key markers of eye health in older adults.   

With oxidative stress identified as a key risk factor for visual impairment, researchers investigated if consuming antioxidant-rich foods helped in managing visual impairments. To examine these effects, they monitored macular pigment accumulation in 34 subjects who consumed either grapes (equivalent to 1.5 cups per day) or a placebo for 16 weeks. The grape-eaters showed a significant increase in macular pigment optical density, plasma antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content compared to those on placebo. In those who didn’t consume grapes, researchers observed a significant increase in harmful advanced glycation end products, as measured in the skin. 

“Our study is the first to show that grape consumption beneficially impacts eye health in humans, which is very exciting, especially with a growing ageing population,” said Assistant Professor Jung Eun Kim, Department of Food Science & Technology at the National University of Singapore. “Grapes are an accessible fruit that studies have shown can have a beneficial impact in normal amounts of just 1.5 cups per day.” 

The results of this study reinforce earlier, preliminary studies where consuming grapes was found to protect retinal structure and function, she said.