Effects of grape consumption on plasma and erythrocyte antioxidant parameters in elderly subjects

To investigate the effects of ingesting Fructus vitis minuta (black grape) on plasma and erythrocyte antioxidant parameters in elderly subjects. Materials and methods: Thirteen subjects (mean age 74.67 ± 0.58) participated in the study. They consumed 1 g/kg body weight per day of dried black Maraş grapes for 1 month. Before and after these periods, fasting blood samples were obtained, and oxidant (as MDA) and antioxidant (as SOD) parameters were studied in erythrocytes. Also, plasma samples were obtained from the subjects. Results: In the erythrocyte hemolysate, MDA (malondialdehydes) levels and SOD (superoxide dismutase) activities were found to be lower (P < 0.01) in the second samples compared to the first ones. Conclusion: We think that because free radical production was decreased SOD activities were not increased. Our results show that reduced peroxidation processes caused by Maraş grape consumption suggest that grape consumption has beneficial effects in elderly subjects.