Grapes are beneficial for the skin. They keep the skin elastic, thick, and young-looking, as they boost collagen synthesis and prevent the development of age spots and wrinkles. Grapes are packed with:
- resveratrol
- proanthocyanidins
- vitamin C
- vitamin K
- purified water
Grapes hydrate the skin
Firstly, grapes are good for the skin, as they hydrate the body. They’re 81% water.[1]
Water is crucial for preventing dry skin. Also, water is necessary for increased extensibility and elasticity of the skin. People who fail to drink enough water can benefit the most by consuming lots of foods high in water.[2,3]
Vitamin C is beneficial for the skin
Furthermore, grapes contain 4 mg of vitamin C per 100g.
Above all, vitamin C is vital for the biosynthesis of collagen! Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. In the skin as well. Increased dermal collagen density plays a key role in maintaining skin structure, skin elasticity, and skin quality.[4,5]
Additionally, vitamin C is beneficial for the skin, as it may reduce age spots, reduce wrinkles, and protect the skin from premature aging due to sunlight exposure.
Vitamin K is good for the skin
Also, grapes are a good source of vitamin K. They have about 15 mg of vitamin K per 100g.
First, vitamin K plays a key role in wound healing. Patients with acute and chronic skin wounds would benefit from eating lots of foods high in vitamin K.[6]
Vitamin K promotes wound healing, due to increased rates of wound contraction, fibroblast cells formation, collagen fibers, and blood vessels. Also, it has antioxidant properties!
Resveratrol & other antioxidants in grapes protect the skin
Above all, grapes protect the skin from aging, due to their unique antioxidant content.
For instance, grapes are high in flavonoids, which prevent skin aging, due to UV irradiation. Red grapes are particularly high in flavonoids.[7]
Also, flavonoids in grapes, such as catechin, quercetin, and anthocyanins, have potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Moreover, grapes are among the best natural sources of resveratrol. Resveratrol is an antioxidant, found mainly in grapes, red wine, berries, and peanuts. That’s a key reason why peanut butter supports weight loss despite its high calorie content!
Resveratrol can protect the skin from UV irradiation, which causes oxidative stress to the skin. According to studies, resveratrol seems to protect from many skin disorders, such as skin aging and skin cancers![8]
The highest concentrations of antioxidants in grapes are found in the skin and seeds.
Besides resveratrol, other important antioxidants for preventing skin aging are vitamins C and E, and the green tea polyphenol, known as EGCG. They also have therapeutic properties.
Grapes protect from wrinkles
Excessive exposure to sunlight can cause skin aging. The visible signs of skin aging are dryness, discoloration and wrinkling. Grapes can prevent the formation of wrinkles.
First, resveratrol in grapes has powerful anti-photoaging effects. It protects from wrinkle formation, due to exposure to UV radiation.
Moreover, grapes contain many other antioxidant compounds, which act synergistically, to protect the skin from aging. For instance, grapes have a high phenolic, anthocyanin, and flavonoid content. These compounds have a protective effect on wrinkle formation.[9]
Resveratrol in grapes delays skin aging!
Resveratrol in grapes is a compound with potent anti-aging properties. According to studies, a diet high in resveratrol can significantly improve multiple aging-associated parameters, such as increased skin hydration, skin elasticity, decreased skin roughness and wrinkle depth as well as lightening of age spots.[10]
Also, resveratrol in grapes can help you lose weight.
Grapes may enhance wound healing
Additionally, the unique compounds in grapes promote wound healing. Reducing the wound healing time lowers the risk of infection.
Topical application of grape seed extract results in contraction and closure of the skin wound. It releases endothelial growth factor and has antioxidant and antibacterial properties.[11,12]
The topical application of grape seed extract can repair wounds much faster! According to a study, surgical wounds treated with grape seed extract were completely repaired on day 8. Six days sooner than wounds treated with a placebo!
Most noteworthy, grape seed extract is pretty rich in proanthocyanidins.
First, these antioxidant compounds trigger the release of vascular endothelial growth factor. Moreover, they cause wound contraction and closure.
Proanthocyanidins are 20 times more powerful than vitamin C and 50 times more powerful than vitamin E.
These antioxidant compounds protect from oxidative stress, as they neutralize the dangerous free radicals. Oxidative stress may cause cell and DNA damage.
Scientists found that topical application of grape seed extract increases cell density and deposition of connective tissue, as well as improving cellular structure in the wound.
Last, but not least, grape seed extract has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, which are effective in wound healing.
You can find a wide variety of grape seed extracts on Amazon. Click here.
Other crucial micronutrients for faster wound healing are vitamins A and C, zinc, and iron.
