A new study from Western New England University (WNE) has uncovered a significant link between long-term grape consumption and improved muscle health. The research, recently published in the journal Foods, suggests that regularly eating grapes can positively impact muscle gene expression, with particularly strong effects in females.
Groundbreaking Findings
The study found that daily grape consumption alters muscle gene expression in ways that promote lean muscle mass and reduce markers of muscle degeneration. Interestingly, these changes resulted in male and female muscle characteristics becoming more similar on a metabolic level. Given that 10-16% of older adults experience sarcopenia—age-related muscle loss—this discovery offers a promising avenue for nutritional strategies to support muscle health as people age.
“This study provides compelling evidence that grapes have the potential to enhance muscle health at the genetic level,” said Dr. John Pezzuto, senior investigator of the study and professor and dean of the WNE College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. “Given their safety profile and widespread availability, it will be exciting to explore how quickly these changes can be observed in human trials.”
The Role of Nutrigenomics
Nutrigenomics, the study of how diet influences gene expression, played a central role in this research. Grapes, rich in natural compounds called phytochemicals, have been shown to impact various aspects of health, from heart and kidney function to skin and eye health. In this study, researchers examined the effects of consuming two servings of grapes per day on muscle gene expression patterns. The results demonstrated that grape consumption altered over 20,000 genes, significantly influencing muscle metabolism.
The study also revealed that genes associated with good muscle health—such as those linked to lean muscle mass—were elevated, while genes tied to muscle deterioration were suppressed. These findings suggest that dietary interventions, like adding grapes to one’s diet, could serve as a complementary approach to traditional muscle maintenance strategies, such as exercise and protein-rich nutrition.
Future Research Directions
The WNE research team aims to further investigate the mechanisms behind these genetic changes and determine how quickly they occur in human subjects. As the field of nutrigenomics continues to evolve, this study opens the door for new dietary approaches to muscle health across different age groups.
For more information about this research, please contact Dr. John Pezzuto at john.pezzuto@wne.edu or the WNE College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
About the WNE College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
The Western New England University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (CoPHS) is committed to advancing healthcare through education, research, and community engagement. Offering programs such as the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSPS), CoPHS prepares students to become leaders in healthcare by providing interdisciplinary learning, clinical experiences, and research opportunities.
