Red Grapes, Blueberries May have positive effects on the immune system

The resveratrol which is found is red grapes and pterostilbene in blueberries boosts the human innate immune system. A study done on 446 compounds by Oregon State University discovered that both the compounds, stilbenoids, worked in sync with Vitamin D and could raise the expression of CAMP gene (cathelicidin antimicrobal peptide) that is involved in human immune function. Adrian Gombart, an LPI principal investigator and associate professor, OSU Collage of Science says, "Out of a study of hundreds of compounds, just these two popped right out”. He also added, "Their synergy with vitamin D to increase CAMP gene expression was significant and intriguing. It's a pretty interesting interaction." The CAMP is believed to play a key role in ‘innate’ immune system or the body’s first line of defense against bacteria. Further studies may lead to a therapeutically significant natural compound which can boost the innate immune response. However, the bioavailability of compounds like pterostibene and Resveratrol are still in question.