Grapes help vision in old age

You may no longer be the “apple of somebody’s eye” after researchers discovered grapes can “dramatically” protect a person’s eyes as they age.

A New York Fordham University study compared the impact of an antioxidant-rich diet on vision using mice prone to developing retinal damage in old age in much the same way as humans do. Mice either received a grape-enriched diet, a diet with added lutein, or a normal diet.

Age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in the elderly, is a progressive eye condition, leading to the deterioration of the centre of the retina, called the macula.

The grape-enriched diet protected against oxidative damage of the retina and prevented blindness in those mice consuming grapes. While lutein was also effective, grapes were found to offer significantly more protection.

“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,” principal investigator, Dr Silvia Finnemann, said.

The results suggested age-related vision loss is a result of “cumulative, oxidative damage over time”.

“Preserving eye health is a key concern as we age, and this study shows grapes may play a critical role in achieving this.

“This is good news for consumers of all ages who enjoy grapes, and adds to the growing body of evidence that grapes offer an array of health benefits.”