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Here’s how to age like a fine wine.
Everyone loses muscle mass as they get older. Sarcopenia is a significant loss of muscle mass and strength, which increases the risk of falls, hospitalization, less independence and premature death.
Researchers from Rutgers and other universities may have found a simple and tasty approach to maintaining muscle along with exercise and high-protein diets — grapes.
“This study provides compelling evidence that grapes have the potential to enhance muscle health at the genetic level,” said John Pezzuto, senior investigator of the new study and dean of pharmacy and health sciences at Western New England University.
“Given their safety profile and widespread availability, it will be exciting to explore how quickly these changes can be observed in human trials,” he added.
The US consumes billions of pounds of grapes annually. The sweet fruit is a good source of fiber, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals, with potential health benefits for the heart, kidneys, eyes, skin and gastrointestinal system.
The authors of the new study found that consuming the equivalent of two servings of grapes a day altered over 20,000 genes in elderly mice, significantly influencing how their muscles generate energy to function.
Genes tied to lean muscle mass were elevated, while genes linked to muscle deterioration were suppressed. Female mice saw greater benefits than male mice, according to the study.
The mice consumed 5% grape powder, which is around 1.5 cups of fresh grapes for humans.
The research — published last week in the scientific journal Foods — was supported in part by the California Table Grape Commission, a trade group.
Pezzuto’s team plans to study how and why these genetic changes happen and if they can be replicated in humans.
In the meantime, other foods that can help build and maintain muscle include lean meats, fish, eggs, Greek yogurt, quinoa, beans and milk.
