Grapes are among the world’s most popular fruits. People eat them fresh, dried as raisins, or drink them as juice and wine.
Beyond their sweet taste, grapes are also packed with nutrients and natural plant chemicals that scientists believe may support human health in many ways.
For years, researchers have studied grapes for possible benefits involving heart health, inflammation, aging, and brain function. More recently, scientists have become interested in how grapes may affect the skin.
Previous clinical studies already suggested that grapes could improve the skin’s resistance to ultraviolet, or UV, radiation in some people. UV radiation from sunlight damages skin cells over time and contributes to sunburn, wrinkles, inflammation, and skin cancer risk.
Now, a new study published in ACS Nutrition Science suggests grapes may influence skin health much more deeply than researchers previously understood.
Scientists found that eating grapes changed the activity of genes inside human skin cells. Researchers also discovered signs that grapes may strengthen the skin’s protective barrier and reduce oxidative stress caused by UV exposure.
The study involved volunteers who ate the equivalent of three servings of whole grapes every day for two weeks.
Researchers collected skin samples before and after the grape diet. They also examined how participants’ skin responded to low doses of UV radiation.
The scientists focused on something called gene expression. Gene expression refers to how genes are turned on or off inside cells. Genes contain instructions that control many body functions, but different genes become active depending on environmental factors, lifestyle, diet, and health conditions.
At the beginning of the study, every participant had a unique pattern of gene activity in their skin.
After eating grapes, researchers observed noticeable shifts in these patterns.
The scientists also found that UV exposure changed skin gene activity, and combining UV exposure with grape consumption created additional effects.
Even though individuals responded differently, one important finding remained consistent: every participant showed changes in skin gene expression after eating grapes.
Researchers then analyzed what these gene changes might mean biologically.
The altered gene activity suggested increases in processes called keratinization and cornification. These natural biological processes help build the skin’s outer protective layer.
This outer layer acts as the body’s first defense against environmental damage. It helps protect against bacteria, pollutants, water loss, and harmful UV rays from sunlight.
Researchers believe strengthening this barrier may improve the skin’s ability to handle environmental stress.
The team also measured a chemical marker called malondialdehyde after exposing skin to UV radiation.
Malondialdehyde is commonly used as a marker of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress happens when unstable molecules known as free radicals damage cells faster than the body can repair them.
High oxidative stress is linked to aging and many chronic diseases.
Participants who consumed grapes showed lower levels of malondialdehyde after UV exposure, suggesting their skin experienced less oxidative stress.
Scientists believe natural antioxidants found in grapes may help explain these results.
Grapes contain compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, resveratrol, and vitamin C. These substances are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Antioxidants help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. This may help explain why diets rich in fruits and vegetables are often associated with healthier aging and reduced disease risk.
Professor John Pezzuto from Western New England University described grapes as a “superfood” because of their apparent ability to influence gene behavior in humans.
He said the study provides evidence of a nutrigenomic response. Nutrigenomics is a growing field of science that studies how food affects genes and how genes respond to nutrients.
According to the researchers, this work represents part of a larger effort to understand how everyday foods influence the body at the molecular level.
The scientists also believe the effects of grapes may not be limited to the skin.
They suspect grape consumption could potentially influence gene activity in other tissues throughout the body, including the liver, muscles, kidneys, and brain.
However, researchers emphasized that much more work is still needed.
The study was relatively small and only lasted two weeks. Scientists do not yet know whether these gene changes continue over longer periods or whether they lead to major long-term improvements in skin health.
Researchers also warned that grapes should not be viewed as a replacement for sunscreen or other sun-protection strategies.
Protecting the skin from excessive UV exposure remains important for reducing skin cancer risk.
Even so, the findings are exciting because they suggest that simple dietary choices may directly affect how human genes behave.
Overall, the study provides intriguing evidence that grapes may improve skin health by strengthening the skin barrier and reducing oxidative stress linked to UV exposure. The research also highlights the growing importance of nutrigenomics, which examines how foods influence gene activity.
However, the study remains early-stage, and larger long-term trials are still necessary before scientists can fully understand how meaningful these gene changes are for long-term skin protection and overall health. Even so, the findings add to growing scientific interest in how whole foods may affect the body far beyond basic nutrition alone.
Source: Western New England University.
