Grape Consumption May Protect Against Diabetes

Filed in archive Diet , Research on May 16, 2007

You've probably already heard before that grapes contain a lot of the antioxidant called polyphenols which has been associated to many protective health benefits like fighting against cancer.

Now, the polyphenols in grapes have been shown to protect against the destruction of insulin-producing cells (known as beta cells) in the pancreas, thereby significantly reducing the incidence of diabetes...in lab rodents, however.

As reported in the Journal of Nutrition, the consumption of grapes reduced the infiltration of immune cells into the islets of Langerhans - the specific area of the pancreas where the insulin-producing beta cells reside, thus preventing their damaging effects on the beta cells.

Interesting really, especially if the same results are replicated in humans...but of course, any breakthrough finding got its humble beginnings from laboratory animals.

According to principal investigator Susan J. Zunino, Ph.D. of the USDA Agricultural Research Service's Western Human Nutrition Research Center in Davis, California where the study was conducted:

"The protective effect of grapes was quite significant and very exciting. In this study we observed firsthand their effect on two of three critical components for the prevention of type I diabetes: the preservation of the beta cells and the inhibition of inflammation.

Other studies have shown that quercetin and anthocyanins, which are phytonutrients present in grapes, enhanced insulin secretion and sensitivity, which is the third critical component.

Clearly more studies need to be done to fully define the mechanisms of action for the grapes and their potential as a dietary intervention for diabetes."

Indeed it is a long shot before we can truly say that grapes are the new diabetic's dietary best friend. Meanwhile, who doesn't like grapes? So let's eat them grapes!

Find more details from the full report.