A new study from Western New England University (WNE) suggests that eating grapes regularly may improve muscle health by influencing gene expression. The research, published in the journal Foods, found that long-term grape consumption can boost genes linked to muscle growth and reduce genes associated with muscle loss.
How Grapes Affect Muscle Health
Grapes are widely consumed, with about 30 million tons eaten globally each year. While they are known for their benefits to heart, kidney, skin, eye, and digestive health, this study suggests they may also play a role in maintaining muscle strength and function.
The key discovery was that grapes modify the way genes are expressed in muscles. In particular:
- Genes related to lean muscle mass increased
- Genes linked to muscle breakdown decreased
- The effect was stronger in females than in males
Surprisingly, grape consumption made male and female muscle tissue more similar at a genetic level, showing that the fruit has a balancing effect on metabolism.
Implications for Muscle Loss and Aging
One of the most important applications of this finding is for age-related muscle loss. Sarcopenia, a condition that affects 10–16% of older adults, leads to muscle weakening and reduced mobility. This study suggests that regular grape consumption could complement traditional muscle maintenance strategies such as exercise and high-protein diets.
According to Dr. John Pezzuto, the study’s senior investigator, these results are promising because grapes are safe, widely available, and easy to include in a daily diet. Future research will explore how quickly these benefits appear in human trials.
The Science Behind It: Nutrigenomics
This study falls under the field of nutrigenomics, which examines how food affects gene expression. Unlike medications that act through direct chemical interactions, nutrigenomics suggests that certain foods can “turn on” or “turn off” specific genes, influencing health at a genetic level.
The research team analyzed the effects of eating two servings of grapes per day. Normally, male and female muscles have major genetic differences, but the study found that grape consumption reduced these differences, aligning their metabolism toward a common, healthier muscle profile.
The study analyzed over 20,000 genes and found that grapes significantly altered the expression of genes related to muscle health. While both men and women benefited, females showed a greater response to the grape diet.
What’s Next?
The researchers plan to investigate how these genetic changes happen and how long it takes to see results. Since nutrigenomics is a growing field, this study opens up new possibilities for using food as a tool for improving muscle health in people of all ages.
Final Thoughts
This study suggests that something as simple as eating grapes could support muscle health, particularly for those at risk of muscle loss. If future research confirms these findings in human trials, grapes could become a valuable addition to diets aimed at preserving muscle strength and preventing age-related decline.
The research findings can be found in Foods.
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