Grapes derivatives help protect skin from sun damage

Scientists have discovered a food that can help protect skin cells from UV damage or harmful sunburns, according to media reports Tuesday. Grapes or grape derivatives, which have flavonoids, can actually stop the chemical reaction that causes skin cells to die and thus causes skin damage, said researchers from the University of Barcelona and the Spanish National Research Council. "Here's what happens: When UV rays hit your skin, they activate 'reactive oxygen species,' or ROS, which then oxidize big molecules like lipids and DNA. This activates particular enzymes that kill skin cells," said researchers, "but grapes' flavonoids work to decrease the formation of the ROS's in skin cells that were exposed to UVA and UVB rays." "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 increasing our understanding of the mechanism by which they act," added the researchers.