BusinessDay: Sav blanc can cause a headache but save your skin

Catherine Harris writes in BusinessDay about encouraging early results suggesting that sauvignon blanc extracts can help avoid sunburn.

The research, being undertaken by AgResearch for kiwi company NZ Extracts, looked at the grape seeds from sauvignon blanc grapes grown in Marlborough – a major regional waste product.

An excerpt: (read in full here)

Early results were encouraging.

“”We were surprised by how effective grape seed extracts are at combating protein damage from UV rays on skin,” said AgResearch senior scientist Jolon Dyer, who believes the discovery could have a huge benefit.

“”The preliminary results indicate a significant reduction in the level of oxidation in the skin proteins.”

“Glenn Vile, the general manager of NZ Extracts, said the great thing about the latest discovery was its reuse of a major regional waste product.

“”What is important is we’re talking here about sauvignon blanc grapes grown in Marlborough, New Zealand. These grape seeds and other matter were discarded in the past and all the properties and benefits of the seeds weren’t being captured,” he said.”