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.

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