Can grapes ward off sunburn? A new study seeks to find out

BOSTON — Grapes may help prevent sunburn, according to an interesting new study.

Researchers at Western New England University in Springfield, Massachusetts, asked 29 people to consume freeze-dried packets of grapes, equivalent to three servings, each day.

After two weeks, they found that nine of the participants had reduced sensitivity to UV exposure.

They also discovered that the microbiome of individuals may explain why some people have a greater response to grapes than others.

More research is needed, so don’t think eating grapes every day is going to protect you from skin cancer. You should always wear sunscreen and avoid excessive sun exposure.

Sunburn, especially during childhood, increases the risk of melanoma.

Mallika Marshall, MD

Mallika Marshall, MD is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and physician who served as a HealthWatch reporter for CBS Boston/WBZ-TV for over 20 years. Board-certified medical practitioner in internal medicine and pediatrics, Dr. Marshall is on staff at Harvard Medical School and practices at Massachusetts General Hospital at MGH Chelsea Urgent Care and MGH Revere Health Center, where she currently works on primary care. for patients with COVID-19. She is also a moderator and editor for Harvard Health Publications (HHP), the publishing division of Harvard Medical School.