Healthy dried grapes

Dried Fruits Australia has partnered with the University of South Australia to investigate the benefits of consuming dried grapes.

The research will assist with the promotion and marketing of Australian dried grape products by identifying their current scientifically known health benefits as well as potential benefits that could be confirmed through further research and testing.

DFA CEO Anne Mansell said it became clear during discussions at last year’s International Seedless Dried Grape Producing Countries Conference that further work was required to evidence and promote the health benefits of dried grapes.

“With so many messages now available to consumers about food products and their health benefits, it’s important that the many advantages of dried grapes can be promoted through tried and tested research,” Anne said. “After hearing about the Nuts for Life project at the Mildura conference, DFA began working on a similar trajectory of research and promotion. The tree nut industry has instigated various campaigns promoting the benefits of consuming nuts, which commenced with thorough and comprehensive nutritional research to provide sufficient and significant evidence.

“We look forward to bringing you further updates as the project progresses.”

The six-month research project, funded by the Australian Dried Vine Fruits Trust, will be led by Professor Alison Coates. Alison, who is a registered nutritionist and director of the Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity at UniSA, will work with an expert and experienced team that includes Dr Alison Hill, Professor Jonathan Buckley and Associate Professor Steve Milanese.

Interestingly, Jonathan is also leading a project looking at exercise performance associated with the consumption of almonds, cranberries and sultanas. Data from that project, funded by the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council, is expected to be available in 2021.

Alison said the current project would provide a synthesis of the best-available scientific research evidence on the impact of dried grape consumption on human health.

“We are undertaking a systematic review of the literature to understand what evidence currently exists and to understand the mechanisms associated with these benefits,” she said.

“The literature will undergo a critical appraisal so that we can systematically consider the robustness of the methodology used and compare the findings.

“This work is important as it will help the industry understand what evidence currently exists and identify options for future directions of research.”