Researchers at UCLA found that eating grapes may prevent the cognitive decline that leads to Alzheimer's disease. In their study, the scientists split two groups of people who were experiencing mild mental decline, giving one group grape powder every day for six months, while the other received a placebo powder.

According to Ladders, brain scans revealed that the people who had the grape powder maintained healthy levels of metabolic activity in the area of the brain where Alzheimer's disease usually appears. The second group, however, showed a decline in activity in the same area.

"The study examines the impact of grapes as a whole fruit versus isolated compounds and the results suggest that regular intake of grapes may provide a protective effect against early decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease," said study author Dr. Daniel H. Silverman of the Brain Research Institute at UCLA. "This pilot study contributes to the growing evidence that supports a beneficial role for grapes in neurological and cardiovascular health."

The UCLA study also found that grapes boosted the activity of other parts of the brain as well, especially areas associated with attention and memory. The researchers said that it is most likely the antioxidant-rich polyphenols in grapes that have an anti-inflammatory effect. This reduces the oxidation in the brain and helps promote healthy blood flow while maintaining ideal chemical levels, according to Ladders.

An estimated 5.5 million people in the United States of all ages have Alzheimer's disease, according to 2017 statistics. Today, every 66 seconds, someone in the United States develops the disease and it is the sixth leading cause of death nationwide. Experts predict that by the year 2050, the number of Alzheimer's patients in America will hit a whopping 16 million.