Fruits and vegetables are healthy for the body and mind. Doctors and expert dietitians advise everyone to have adequate amounts of these plant foods daily.
Now, a new study has shown that grapes are particularly good to prevent cognitive decline and prolong the life of the eater. They can do this by influencing the antioxidant gene expression in the body
Grapes and the positive health impact
Fruits and vegetables should be a part of every person’s diet. They are rich in fiber, minerals, vitamins, and also anti-oxidants. All these substances are essential for body health and act on it positively.
They can prevent cell damage and are good for the cardiovascular system and the kidneys. They also keep bad cholesterol under control and provide fiber to regulate bowel movements. The vital ingredients in these plant foods are also good for the skin and hair.
Grapes and their health benefits (Source: Wikipedia)Considering all these positive points of consuming fruits and vegetables, it is no doubt that researchers are studying them in detail in order to bring forth and prove these points.
A latest study published in the journal Foods has revealed that grapes are particularly good in preventing age-related dementia. These fruits also add years to your life.
The study details
The journal Foods carried three articles on the healthy aspect of grapes. Scientists from the Western New England University performed these studies.
This is an animal study and as yet in the preclinical stage. The mice in the study were fed high-fat diet to simulate the diet eaten by the majority of the people in the West.
Along with this, half of the recruited mice were given grapes as supplements. The two groups of mice were studied for the health of their liver, brain, and the metabolism.
Grapes decrease dementia and prolong life (Source: The Spruce eats)The study showed that mice on high-fat diet and who had grapes as supplements had better brain and liver health. Their metabolic health was also better compared to that of the mice who received no grapes.
Additionally, the study showed that grapes added years to the life of the mice. It decreased the risk of fatty liver. Brain function was also improved. Dr John Pezzuto, the study co-author states:
“It adds an entirely new dimension to the old saying ‘you are what you eat’,”
John who is Professor in Pharmaceutics reveals that grapes cause a change in the expression of the genes. He remarks:
“That is truly remarkable,”
Antioxidant gene expression and body health
Several researchers are looking into the fact of how a person through his or her diet can assist in switch of genes for the good of the body. Besides diet, exercise, sleep, relaxation methods all can influence the gene expressions.
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Dr. John feels that mere taking anti-oxidant supplements may not have large benefits. But in the case of grapes, they changed the level of gene expression of antioxidant.
Grapes add years to life (Source: University of Alabama of Birmingham)Explaining on it, he said:
“But if you change the level of antioxidant gene expression, as we observed with grapes added to the diet, the result is a catalytic response that can make a real difference,”
The California Table Grape Commission partly funded this study and provided the grapes used as supplements for mice. An earlier study had shown that strawberries can minimize brain inflammation and hence dementia.