RESEARCH SHOWS PURPLE GRAPE JUICE CAN PROMOTE CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH

(August 2004) Drinking purple grape juice daily is a healthy beverage choice, reports the Grape Juice Heart Health Advisory Board, a national panel of academics, a physician and dietitians with nutritional expertise. A report from the Advisory Board entitled Heart Health Research Review: Relevant research concludes that the current body of published research suggests that daily consumption of purple grape juice as part of a balanced diet promotes cardiovascular health.

"Purple grape juice, similar to red wine, is rich in antioxidants, specifically polyphenolic compounds including flavonoids, which improve the body's ability to deal with oxidative stress and reduce free radical damage," says Dr. Kelly Meckling, Associate Professor of Human Biology and Nutritional Sciences at the University of Guelph. Dr. Meckling is a member of the Grape Juice Heart Health Advisory Board. Dr. Meckling further states that purple grape juice reduces the tendency of blood platelets to stick together and form clots, while increasing the ability of blood vessels to accommodate greater blood flow.

In recent years much research has been conducted into the possible benefits of drinking purple grape juice. Specifically, there has been extensive research regarding the "French Paradox" whereby certain populations with relatively high red wine consumption levels demonstrate a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease. The benefit of purple grape juice has also been a topic of interest. "A substantial amount of research published in credible, international scientific journals indicates that drinking purple grape juice daily can provide protective measures against cardiovascular disease," says Dr. Lance Levy, a Toronto-based physician who is also a member of the Grape Juice Heart Health Advisory Board. This is welcome news for those people who are abstaining from alcohol to avoid potential interactions with medication or because of other health concerns.

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