Grapes contain sun protection qualities

Substances extracted from grapes could protect the skin against ultraviolet rays and could be utilized in sunscreen, according to researchers from the University of Barcelona and the Spanish National Research Council.

The study revealed that some polyphenolic substances extracted from grapes can reduce the formation of reactive oxygen species in human epidermis cells that have been exposed to UVA and UVB radiation.

The report, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, suggests the findings should be taken into consideration in clinical pharmacology in developing new photoprotection skin products. While there are already products on the market containing grape compounds, the scientists behind this study say the results offer a greater understanding of the benefits of these compounds.