Grapes Could Help Obese People Fight Infections

That grapes are good for you is accepted, but new research indicates that they might help people who are obese fight infections.

Susan Zunino, a research scientist for the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, says that obesity increases the risks for infection and, “Our study suggests that eating grapes may increase some immune functions that are very important for fighting off infections.”

Zunino says there is more research to be done, but if confirmed she called this discovery an important step towards better health.

The next steps are to expand the research using more bacteria and testing the theory in obese mice to see if their immune responses are improved.

“We can also find out how and why there’s a change in the immune response and if it is actually the antioxidants from the fruit that are responsible.”

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (590) 547-1618, or e-mail krounce@cherrycreekradio.com.