Study: Grapes May Protect Against Cognitive Decline

According to a pilot study, consuming 72 g of grapes each day may protect the brain from metabolic decline associated with Alzheimer disease.

Previous studies have suggested that the natural compounds in grapes, such as resveratrol, have the potential to slow cognitive decline and other effects of aging.
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The study included 10 subjects with mild cognitive decline, mean age 72.2 years. Participants were randomly assigned to receive whole grape powder (equivalent to 2 ¼ cups of grapes per day), or a polyphenol-free placebo powder for 6 months.

Neuropsychological assessments were used to measure cognitive performance at baseline and at 6 months, and brain PET scans with radiotracer [F-18] fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) were obtained before the start of the trial and at 6 months to assess the changes in brain metabolism occurring with each therapy regimen. In addition, significant regional cerebral metabolic changes were identified with standardized volumes of interest and statistical parametric mapping applied to FDG-PET scans.

The researchers’ findings showed that while participants consuming the whole grape powder did not display any significant changes in brain metabolism, participants receiving the placebo showed significant decline in the standardized volumes of interest of the right posterior cingulate cortex and the left superior posterolateral temporal cortex

Likewise, statistical parametric mapping showed significant metabolism declines in participants in the placebo group, especially in the in left prefrontal, cingulate, and left superior posterolateral temporal cortex, while stable brain metabolism was shown in participants who consumed the grape powder. 

The WAIS-III Digital Span showed that the metabolism in the right superior parietal cortex and left inferior anterior temporal cortex was associated with improvements in attention and working memory in participants receiving the grape powder. However, no other significant differences were seen in the neuropsychological battery of tests scores between the 2 groups.

“This suggests a protective effect of grapes against early pathologic metabolic decline,” the researchers concluded.

—Melissa Weiss

Reference:

Lee J, Torosyan N, and Silverman DH. Examining the impact of grape consumption on brain metabolism and cognitive function in patients with mild decline in cognition: a double-blinded placebo controlled pilot study [published online November 14, 2016]. Experimental Gerontology. doi: dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2016.10.004.