Drinking wine or eating grapes could protect you from sunburn, say Spanish scientists who found that a chemical in the fruit can limit cell damage.
Ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun are the leading environmental cause of skin complaints, premature ageing, sunburn and even skin cancer.
The University of Barcelona and the Spanish National Research Council found that flavonoids in grapes can stop the chemical reaction that causes cells to die and thus skin damage.
The study, carried out in vitro in the laboratory, has been published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
Dr Marta Cascante, a biochemist at the University of Barcelona and director of the research project, said the research could help to develop skin creams and other products to protect skin from sun damage.
"This study supports the idea of using these products to protect the skin from cell damage and death caused by solar radiation, as well as increases our understanding of the mechanism by which they act," she said.
- The Daily Telegraph
Ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun are the leading environmental cause of skin complaints, premature ageing, sunburn and even skin cancer.
The University of Barcelona and the Spanish National Research Council found that flavonoids in grapes can stop the chemical reaction that causes cells to die and thus skin damage.
The study, carried out in vitro in the laboratory, has been published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
Dr Marta Cascante, a biochemist at the University of Barcelona and director of the research project, said the research could help to develop skin creams and other products to protect skin from sun damage.
"This study supports the idea of using these products to protect the skin from cell damage and death caused by solar radiation, as well as increases our understanding of the mechanism by which they act," she said.
- The Daily Telegraph