Scientists from Spain come up with their new discovery, which states that a specific substance found in grapes can act as a shield to the human body against the ultraviolet rays.

The University of Barcelona and the Spanish National Researchers have studied the effectiveness of the polyphenolic substances called (flavonoids) found in grapes in fighting the occurrence of chemical reaction as the skin gets exposed to the UV rays. The study, conducted in vitro at the laboratory, proved that the substance was able to obstruct the chemical reaction thereby protecting the cells of skin from getting damaged.

The ultraviolet rays results in various skin related problems like premature ageing, sun burn and even skin cancer. The UV rays react on the skin by stimulating the 'reactive oxygen species' (ROS). The composite further oxidized the macromolecules such as lipids and DNA, which activated certain reactions and enzymes (JNK and p38MAPK) which led to death of cells. The researchers claimed that the polyphenolic substances obstructed the formulation of ROS on the epidermis cells of the skin.

As per the Director of the research and Biochemist at the University of Barcelona, Marta Cascante, "This study supports the idea of using these products to protect the skin from cell damage and death caused by solar radiation, as well as increasing our understanding of the mechanism by which they act”.