Features Fruit Production
Another grape excuse to hit the bottle

Scientists in Italy say they have
discovered that grapes used to make some of the most popular red wines
contain high levels of the sleep hormone melatonin.

Scientists in Italy say they have discovered that grapes used to make some of the most popular red wines contain high levels of the sleep hormone melatonin. Melatonin is naturally secreted by the pineal gland in the brain, especially at night, and tells the body when it is time to sleep. The discovery of melatonin in grape skin could explain why so many people hit the bottle in the evening to wind down after a hard day’s work. The study discovered high levels of melatonin in Nebbolo, Merlot, Cabernet Savignon, Sangiovesse and Croatina grape varieties. The research also showed that melatonin content can be enhanced in grapes by treating vines with a plant vaccine Benzothiadiazole.