Grape Juice Helps Regulate Cholesterol

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Grape Juice Helps Regulate Cholesterol

Moderate alcohol consumption induces increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol formation and inhibited platelet aggregation. Some studies suggest that these benefits confer primarily to consumption of red wine rather than beer or other types of alcohol.

Flavanoids, the powerful antioxidants present in red wine, are also present in purple grape juice, an observation that spurred this study involving 15 adults with angiographically documented coronary artery disease (CAD). Subjects consumed approximately 21 ounces of purple grape juice twice daily for 14 consecutive days. Flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD), a measure of arterial dilation, was measured using high-resolution ultrasonography, and susceptibility to increased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation was also measured.

Data indicated impaired FMD at baseline and increased FMD following ingestion of grape juice. Decreased susceptibility to LDL oxidation was also noted with consumption of grape juice. The authors conclude: "Improved endothelium-dependent vasodilation and prevention of LDL oxidation are potential mechanisms by which flavanoids in purple grape products may prevent cardiovascular events, independent of alcohol content."

Stein JH, Keevil JG, Wiebe DA, et al. Purple grape juice improves endothelial function and reduces the susceptibility of LDL cholesterol to oxidation in patients with coronary artery disease. Circulation 1999:100, pp1050-55.