A novel type of red wine, made from muscadine grapes native to the Southeast U.S., may aid in maintaining skin elasticity, a feature that often diminishes with age.

This is according to a study conducted by the University of Florida involving 17 women aged 40 to 67.

However, the study utilized non-alcoholic muscadine wine, suggesting that the alcoholic variant may not deliver the same benefits.

Muscadine wines are not widely available in the United Kingdom, where consumers usually prefer European grape varieties like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon.

Despite this, the study suggests that the natural plant compounds, polyphenols, in muscadine grapes could potentially help slow the effects of aging.

“Muscadine grapes have a unique polyphenolic profile compared to other red wine varieties,” said Dr. Lindsey Christman, a co-author of the study from the University of Florida. “Our study suggests that muscadine wine polyphenols could improve skin conditions, specifically elasticity and transepidermal water loss, in middle-aged and older women.”

The study had participants drink 300 milliliters (two glasses) of either de-alcoholized muscadine wine or a similar but non-polyphenol-containing beverage daily for six weeks.

Following a three-week break, they switched to the opposite drink for another six weeks.

Results showed improved skin elasticity and water retention among women who consumed the muscadine wine.

However, the wine did not significantly reduce wrinkles, according to the findings set to be presented at NUTRITION 2023, the American Society for Nutrition’s annual meeting.

Previous studies have found that muscadine wine’s polyphenols can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.

However, this study did not observe a significant difference in inflammation, oxidative stress, or skin smoothness among participants who drank the wine.

With only 17 volunteers involved and the full research yet to be peer-reviewed or published, further research is needed to verify these findings.