Grapes Slow Age-Related Macular Degeneration

NEW YORKEating grapes may help slow or prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a study published in the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine.

Researchers at Fordham University compared the incidence of the condition between mice with grape-enriched diets, additional lutein diets and normal diets. They found the mice fed a diet rich in grapes were protected against oxidative damage of the retina, which prevented blindness. Lutein was found to be effective; however, grapes offered more protection, likely due to their antioxidant properties.

The protective effect of the grapes in this study was remarkable, offering a benefit for vision at old age even if grapes were consumed only at young age," said principal investigator Silvia Finnemann. A lifelong diet enriched in natural antioxidants, such as those in grapes, appears to be directly beneficial for retinal health and function."