Diet Rich in Grapes may Help Prevent Retinal Deterioration

Don't forget to eat your fruits and vegetables.

A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Miami, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, shows that individuals who eat a grape-enriched diet can prevent retina deterioration.

As more than five million Americans are affected by retinal degenerative diseases, researchers found that a diet high in anthocyanins can help reduce the risk of this health issue.

For the study, researchers looked to determine if this diet would affect mice with retinal degeneration.  The rodents were either fed a grape-supplemented diet that was equivalent to three servings of grapes per day for humans or one of two control diets.

Findings showed that the mice that consumed grape-enriched diets had significantly better retinal function than those on the control diet. The experimental group also showed triple rod and cone photoreceptor responses compared to animals in the control group.

The mice in the experimental group also had thicker retinas with lower levels of inflammatory proteins compared to higher amounts of protective proteins compared to those in the control group.

"The grape-enriched diet provided substantial protection of retinal function which is very exciting," said lead author Dr. Abigail Hackam, via a release. "And it appears that grapes may work in multiple ways to promote eye health from signaling changes at the cellular level to directly countering oxidative stress."

The California Table Grape Commission commissioned the study.