A new Western New England University study has shown that eating grapes regularly can improve muscle health by affecting gene expression. The study, published in the journal Foods, found that continued consumption of grapes can stimulate genes associated with muscle growth and reduce genes associated with muscle loss.

Grapes are widespread. About 30 million tons are consumed worldwide each year. While it is known for its heart, kidney, skin, eye and digestive health benefits, this study showed that it may also play a role in maintaining muscle strength and function.

The key discovery was that grapes change the way genes are expressed in muscles. In particular, genes associated with lean muscle mass are increased. Genes associated with muscle breakdown decrease. The effect is stronger in women than in men

Surprisingly, grape consumption makes male and female muscle tissue more similar at the genetic level, indicating that the fruit has a balancing effect on metabolism.

One of the most important applications of this finding relates to the loss of muscle mass with age. Sarcopenia, a condition that affects 10-16% of the elderly, results in muscle wasting and reduced mobility. This study suggests that regular consumption of grapes may complement traditional muscle maintenance strategies, such as exercise and high-protein diets.

According to Dr. John Pezuto, principal investigator of the study, these results are promising because grapes are safe, widely available and easy to incorporate into the daily diet. 

This study is part of nutrigenomics, which studies how food affects gene expression. Unlike drugs, which work through direct chemical interactions, nutrigenomics suggests that certain foods can "turn on" or "turn off" certain genes, affecting health at the genetic level.

The research team analyzed the impact of consuming 160 grams of grapes per day. Typically, male and female muscles have large genetic differences, but the study found that grape consumption reduced these differences by aligning their metabolism toward a general, healthier muscle profile.

The study analyzed over 20,000 genes and found that grapes significantly altered the expression of genes associated with muscle health. Although both men and women benefited from the grape diet, a stronger response was seen in women.

The study showed that something as simple as eating grapes can support muscle health, especially in people at risk for muscle loss. If future research confirms these results, grapes could become a valuable addition to diets aimed at preserving muscle strength and preventing age-related decline. | BGNES