Studies show that supplementing with two cups of grapes daily helps reduce fatty liver disease and increases lifespan in mice. The authors suggest that this effect may also apply to humans.
There is increasing evidence that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and unprocessed foods positively impacts health. Recently, a series of studies published in the journal Foods found that eating grapes helps lower the risk of mortality. However, many opinions suggest that this cannot be definitively confirmed.
Breakthrough Results in Mice
According to the NY Post, the new study found that adding about two cups of grapes a day to a typical Western high-fat diet helps reduce fatty liver disease and extends lifespan in mice.
Fatty liver disease can lead to cirrhosis and eventually liver cancer. The study results indicate that grapes play a crucial role in reducing the incidence of fatty liver disease and its deadly complications.
According to the lead author of the study, Professor John Pezzuto from the School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Western New England University, his research demonstrates how eating grapes helps offset some of the impacts caused by a high-fat diet.
Some experts suggest that grapes help increase lifespan and reduce fatty liver disease. (Photo: Healthline).
Firstly, lifespan increases, and the antioxidant defense system is also enhanced. Additionally, the prevalence of fatty liver disease—affecting 25% of the population—has been prevented or at least delayed.
According to Pezzuto, the study results simultaneously indicate that anyone can benefit from eating more grapes, regardless of their dietary habits, whether they are dieting or not. “We have demonstrated the mechanism by which grapes promote better overall health, regardless of diet,” Professor Pezzuto added.
A healthy gut microbiome is crucial for overall health, influencing organ functions, including the brain.
Co-author of the study, Dr. Jeffrey Idle from Long Island University, stated that their work also confirms that adding grapes to the diet has a significant impact on the microbiome in experimental mice. However, they still need to conduct further research to determine whether these effects can be replicated in humans. Specifically, the most pressing question is whether eating grapes can reduce or cure fatty liver disease.
Grapes Cannot Compensate for Poor Eating Habits
Even if grapes help us live longer, they cannot offset the negative impacts caused by an unhealthy diet.
According to Dr. Dana Ellis Hunnes, a senior clinical nutritionist at UCLA Medical Center: “Grapes are rich in resveratrol—a nutrient-dense antioxidant that reduces inflammation and offers many health benefits. However, the Western diet is high in fat and animal protein. Simply adding two cups of grapes a day cannot be a cure-all or prevent every negative impact that an unhealthy diet brings.”
Dr. Hunnes also noted that it is often very challenging to fully observe health changes in nutrition studies conducted over short periods, especially in animal studies like those of Professor Pezzuto. This study lasted just over 18 weeks.
Therefore, experts continue to recommend maintaining a healthy eating habit as the best way to live longer and limit disease.
The Western diet is often high in fats and sugars, which can negatively impact health. (Photo: Freepik).
In 2020, a study found that the high-fat Western diet is a common cause of fatty liver disease in developed countries like the United States, affecting nearly one-quarter of the population. Therefore, experts recommend that we should eat healthily, balanced, and nutrient-rich.
One such diet is the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fish, plants, and healthy fats. Additionally, plant-based diets also help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity, and fatty liver disease.
Professor Pezzuto believes this work will be regarded as a significant achievement in the field of nutrition. However, other experts argue that adding healthy foods like grapes to an unhealthy diet cannot bring positive health effects or longevity in the long run.
The next step is to conduct further research to determine whether eating more grapes can reduce the risk of chronic diseases like fatty liver disease and increase lifespan in humans.
