Most people know that maintaining muscle strength takes work—especially as we age.
But new research suggests there may be a surprisingly simple dietary addition that could give your muscles a boost: grapes.
A study conducted by scientists at Western New England University in Massachusetts found that regular grape consumption in mice appeared to activate genes linked to muscle growth—and suppress those associated with muscle breakdown.
Muscle-Boosting Genes?
In the experiment, mice were split into two groups: one received two daily servings of grapes, while the other had none. Over time, the mice that ate grapes showed genetic changes in their muscle tissue.
The researchers found that muscle-building genes became more active, while genes involved in muscle loss were dialed down.
Most intriguing was that female mice saw the most dramatic shift, developing muscle characteristics more commonly found in male mice.
Though the study was conducted in animals, the findings suggest that certain natural compounds in grapes may influence muscle maintenance at the genetic level.
Why Grapes? It’s All About Phytochemicals
Grapes are rich in phytochemicals, naturally occurring plant compounds that are already known to benefit heart health, skin, and digestion. This new research adds another potential benefit to the list: supporting muscle strength.
Phytochemicals like resveratrol, found in grape skins, have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and may play a role in the activation of muscle-preserving pathways in the body.
While this is early-stage research, it opens the door to further study on how specific fruits might help delay or prevent age-related muscle loss, also known as sarcopenia.
What This Means for You
If the same effects are confirmed in humans, it might mean that adding more grapes to your diet—whether fresh, in juice, or dried as raisins—could contribute to better muscle health over time.
Researchers are already planning follow-up studies with human participants to see whether these promising results can translate into real-world benefits.
In the meantime, adding grapes to a balanced diet—alongside regular exercise and sufficient protein intake—could be a smart (and tasty) way to support your strength.
“This doesn’t mean grapes replace the gym,” researchers note, “but they may support your efforts in staying strong—especially as you age.”
The article is based on information from Illustrated Science.
