A handful of grapes twice a day could protect against Alzheimer's, study suggests

Eating a handful of grapes twice a day could slow the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease and boost memory, according to new research.

Scientists found that eating grapes regularly can protect against decline in the areas of the brain affected by Alzheimer’s.

The study of people with early memory decline also found that grapes boosted attention and memory performance, with significant change within six months of eating grapes twice a day.

The pilot study, carried out by the University of California, Los Angeles, took 10 randomly-selected people – half men, half women – with an average age of 72 who were suffering early memory decline.

Some were given whole grape powder equivalent to two-and-a-quarter cups (72g) of grapes per day while others were given a placebo powder.

Their cognitive performance was measured at the start of the study and six months later, as well as changes in brain metabolism, assessed by brain PET scans.

Low metabolic activity in these areas of the brain is a hallmark of early stage Alzheimer’s disease.

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The results showed that eating grapes preserved healthy metabolic activity in regions of the brain affected by the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease, as well as beneficial changes in regional brain metabolism that correlated to improvements in cognition and working memory performance.

In contrast, those who took the placebo had significant metabolic decline in the critical regions of the brain.

Scientists know that grape polyphenols help promote antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Research suggests that grapes may help support brain health by reducing oxidative stress, promoting healthy blood flow, maintaining levels of a key brain chemical that promotes memory and exerting anti-inflammatory effects.

Dr Daniel Silverman, lead author of the study, published in Experimental Gerontology, said: “The study examines the impact of grapes as a whole fruit versus isolated compounds and the results suggest that regular intake of grapes may provide a protective effect against early decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

“This pilot study contributes to the growing evidence that supports a beneficial role for grapes in neurologic and cardiovascular health, however more clinical studies with larger groups of subjects are needed to confirm the effects observed here.”

The study was commissioned by the California Table Grape Commission.