Grapes are known to be a healthy food that provide significant health benefits when regularly consumed. Grapes, particularly their skins and their seeds are rich in antioxidants, including a group of flavonoids called anthocyanins (in the skins) and proanthocyanidins (in the seeds). Grapes extracts have been shown to be beneficial in animal models of mood disorders, suggesting they may help protect from mental health issues in humans. For example, in one study researchers administered grape extracts to rats and observed their behaviour. The researchers noted that the grape extracts were significantly able to reduce the anxious behaviour displayed by the rats, and this was particularly evident in cases of age-related anxiety in older rats. In addition, the higher stress hormone levels in the older rats, measured as corticosterone levels, were significantly reduced by the grape extract treatment. The treatment also significantly lowered the oxidative stress in the rats, suggesting the extract provided antioxidant support.
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