Move aside carrots, there's a new contender in town for maintaining healthy eyes as you age. A recent small-scale study suggests that consuming grapes may have positive effects on eye health in older adults.

The research conducted by the National University of Singapore involved 34 adults who consumed one-and-a-half cups of grapes daily for 16 weeks, while another group received a placebo. The results showed that the grape-eating participants experienced significant improvements in macular pigment optical density (MPOD), plasma antioxidant capacity, and total phenolic content compared to those who did not consume grapes.

Oxidative stress is a major contributor to eye degeneration, and grapes, being rich in antioxidants, may combat this stress. Grapes are known for their high content of polyphenols, which can reduce oxidative stress and inhibit the formation of harmful ocular advanced glycation end products (AGEs).

AGEs are associated with a higher risk of eye diseases, along with oxidative stress. Previous studies in mice have shown that consuming grapes can protect retinal structure and function.

Dr. Jung Eun Kim, co-author of the study, expressed excitement about the findings and emphasized the accessibility of grapes as a beneficial fruit for eye health. The study suggests that regular grape consumption, in moderate amounts of around 1 ½ cups per day, can potentially improve eye health in older adults by augmenting MPOD and increasing antioxidant capacity.

As the aging population grows, incorporating grapes into the diet could be a simple and effective way to support eye health. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects and optimal dosage of grapes for maintaining healthy vision as we age.