The Juicy Secret to Fighting Muscle Loss
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted April 6, 2025
I’ve said it before—maintaining muscle mass is as we age is critical.
It allows us to remain independent, protects against injuries, and plays a vital role in our metabolic health.
I’ll get to those benefits in just a moment—but first, I want to share some exciting news with you.
Researchers recently discovered that a tasty treat you can find at your local grocery store could help you preserve your precious muscles as you age.
A new animal study from Western New England University revealed that devoted grapes fans may have a hidden advantage when it comes to muscle maintenance.
Researchers studied mice fed a grape-enriched diet versus a standard diet over 2.5 years (a substantial portion of their lifespan). They found that eating grapes is associated with significant muscle health benefits.
The research, published in the journal Foods, suggests that a diet that includes grapes can modify gene expression in muscle, offering a novel (not to mention delicious) nutritional strategy for maintaining muscle mass and function.
That’s huge news when you consider how many seniors struggle with sarcopenia or age-related muscle loss.
As you know, losing muscle doesn’t just make you weaker. Muscle tissue is essential for metabolic health—it helps regulate blood sugar, improves insulin sensitivity, and contributes significantly to your resting metabolic rate.
Also, muscle strength enables you to stay independent as you age and protects against falls and fractures by supporting joints and improving stability.
So, what exactly did the researchers find?
Eating grapes daily significantly changed muscle gene expression in the mice. Specifically, genes associated with lean muscle mass were elevated, while those linked to muscle degeneration were reduced.
In other words, grapes appear to turn ON the genes that help build and maintain muscle while turning OFF the ones that break it down. That’s precisely what we want as we age!
While further research is needed to confirm these benefits in humans, there’s already plenty to be excited about.
It’s easy to fit grapes into your regular routine. Try one of the following:
- Grab a handful of fresh grapes with lunch
- Pick grapes for your post-workout snack (they support muscle recovery)
- Enjoy frozen grapes as a healthy dessert alternative
- Occasionally indulge in grape juice (make it 100 percent juice without added sugars)
Of course, munching on grapes alone won’t build Arnold Schwarzenegger-level muscles. You’ll still need regular resistance training and adequate protein.
But adding this tasty treat to your regular diet could give you a valuable edge in the fight against age-related muscle loss.
Unlike expensive supplements or risky medications, this natural approach comes with a bunch of additional health benefits. In fact, previous research has found that eating grapes has positive effects on heart, kidney, skin, eye, and gastrointestinal health.
P.S. Surprising link between balance and weight REVEALED!
Source:
Dave A, Park E-J, Piya S, Pezzuto JM. Long-Term Dietary Consumption of Grapes Alters Phenotypic Expression in Skeletal Muscle of Aged Male and Female Mice. Foods. 2025; 14(4):695
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
WARNING—Your Water Bottle Is Hiding a Disgusting Secret
Recently, a few people have asked me if it’s true that their water bottle has more germs than a toilet seat. It’s a shocking comparison that’ll make you think twice about everyday objects you use without much thought. So, is this claim true? Well, I must warn you that you might not like the answer…...
Research Reveals 3-for-1 Brain Protection "Checklist"
Age-related brain diseases—including stroke, dementia, and depression—threaten our quality of life. They can take the shine right out of your Golden Years. But you don’t have to take these threats lying down. While there are no guarantees in life, there are steps you can take to turn the odds in your favor—especially when it comes...
Mailbag: Your “Healthy Diet” Might Leave You Running on Empty
“Do supplements really work?” Hopeful Skeptic Hi Hopeful, That’s a fantastic question! It gets straight to the heart of a vital fact about human biology. Our bodies are incredible machines. But they don’t work in a vacuum. They require outside help to function. For example, they can’t manufacture most vitamins and minerals on their own....
Forgotten 80s Superfood Reemerges as Artery Superstar
Do you remember when vitamin E was the talk of the town? This common nutrient had a surge of popularity in the 80s and 90s. But now I can’t remember the last time I had a patient ask me about it. Well, it turns out this forgotten 80s superfood deserves another moment in the spotlight....
Strokes CAN Strike Twice—This Simple Fix Cuts Your Risk 20%
They say lightning never strikes twice in the same place. But that old adage couldn’t be further from the truth when it comes to strokes. If you’ve had a stroke, you might think you’re out of the woods once you recover. But the reality is far different… A comprehensive study published in JAMA revealed the...
Can Your Diet Defend Your Brain From Aging?
Our brains work hard every day, helping us solve problems, create memories, and connect with loved ones. But as we age, they face new challenges that can quietly chip away at our vitality. One of those challenges? The buildup of iron. Though iron is essential for many functions, too much can harm your brain, contributing...
Common Deficiency DOUBLES Risk of Your Body Attacking Itself
Most of us know vitamin D as the “sunshine vitamin.” And many think of it mainly for bone health as we age. But research now suggests that this nutrient may be just as crucial for supporting our immune system throughout life, beginning as early as childhood. In fact, a lack of vitamin D, especially in...
What Is a Healthy Night’s Sleep? Three Critical Criteria
We’ve all heard the advice about how important getting enough sleep is to your health. Heck, I have even given this advice countless times. But here’s what the so-called sleep experts aren’t telling you—that perfectly uninterrupted eight hours of sleep they keep preaching about? It’s a myth. In fact, if you wake up several times...
Can Your “Poop Schedule” Predict Disease?
We all do it. If you’re alive, you poop. Some of us are so regular that we could set a clock based on our bathroom habits. Others, not so much. And yet, talking about bowel movements remains one of those taboo topics. Even your doctor skims over it during your annual checkup! But the truth...
Mailbag: "Digestive Drama" Strikes MILLIONS Over 50
“As an older woman I’m noticing changes in my digestion. Why does it become more difficult to digest food as we get older?” —Grumbling Gut Age-related changes to digestion are common, and they don’t get talked about nearly enough. It seems our stomachs decide to alter the rules just when we’ve mastered the game of...