US study shows regular consumption could help improve muscle health, US study finds
A new study from Western New England University (WNE) has revealed that long-term grape consumption significantly impacts muscle health.
Published in the journal Foods, the study – which was partially funded by the California Table Grape Commission – tracked 480 mice over two and a half years, examining how grape consumption affects muscle gene expression at a fundamental level. The findings highlight how something as simple as adding grapes to our daily diet might help support muscle health during aging.
Muscle loss affects millions of older adults worldwide, with 10-16 per cent of elderly individuals experiencing sarcopenia—the progressive deterioration of muscle mass and function that comes with age. Women often face greater challenges maintaining muscle mass, particularly after menopause, making this research especially relevant for aging females.
Researchers discovered that consuming an amount of grapes equivalent to two daily servings led to notable changes in muscle-related gene expression. While both males and females showed genetic shifts, the effects were particularly pronounced in females, whose gene activity patterns began shifting toward those typically observed in males.
Additionally, genes associated with lean muscle mass were elevated, while those linked to muscle degeneration were reduced, indicating improved muscle function.
The research said regular grape consumption could complement traditional muscle maintenance strategies like exercise and high-protein diets.
Dr John Pezzuto, senior investigator of the study and professor and dean of pharmacy and health sciences at Western New England University, said: “This study provides compelling evidence that grapes have the potential to enhance muscle health at the genetic level. Given their safety profile and widespread availability, it will be exciting to explore how quickly these changes can be observed in human trials”.
