Fighting Cardiovascular Disease: Purple Grape Juice as Effective as Wine?

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Fighting Cardiovascular Disease: Purple Grape Juice as Effective as Wine?

Recent studies have proven that moderate red wine consumption reduces the risk of coronary ischemia and provides antioxidants that protect against cardiovascular disease. Researchers wanted to know if these same benefits could be provided by the consumption of purple grape juice, without the effects of alcohol.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of purple grape juice on blood platelet function and the production of nitric oxide, a factor associated with inhibiting cardiovascular disease. The method involved an in vitro test, in which blood samples were incubated with juice, and a clinical evaluation using 20 subjects. The subjects, aged 20 to 45, were given purple grape juice for 14 consecutive days to confirm the relevance of previous results.

The study found that aggregation (blood clotting) was inhibited and nitric oxide production increased, thereby increasing antioxidant effects in both the in vitro and human subject samples. Results were dose-dependent: when more purple grape juice was administered to a subject, the effects of the juice were enhanced.

The findings of this study indicate that it is possible to obtain the health benefits of red wine without having to consume alcohol. The beneficial properties in both red wine and purple grape juice appear to come from the presence of flavonoids, which are concentrated in the skins, seeds and stems of purple grapes.

Freedman JE, Parker III C, Li L, et al. Select flavonoids and whole juice from purple grapes inhibit platelet function and enhance nitric oxide release. Circulation June 12, 2001:103, pp. 2792-2798.