Grape Juice Beats Wine in New Antioxidant Tests

Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Article Date: 28 Oct 2004 - 12:00 PDT

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Newly published research shows that Concord purple grape juice scores higher in a key, natural plant antioxidant than any of the other juices or beverages tested including red wine, tea, cranberry juice cocktail and apple juice on a per serving basis. The antioxidants, called proanthocyanidins, are part of a larger family of plant compounds known as flavanoids that have been linked to good health in a variety of ways including two of Britain's biggest killers - heart disease and cancer.

The findings, released by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), are part of a new database by researchers looking to quantify a range of micronutrients that people consume.

"These plant compounds are of great interest because of their potent antioxidant capacity and possible protective effects on human health," says Ronald L. Prior, Ph.D., nutritionist, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center.

"Flavonoids in fruits, vegetables and juices appear to play a significant role in cancer and heart disease health benefits, and proanthocyanidins account for a significant portion of the total flavonoids ingested," comments Prior. "Up until now, however, it has been difficult to compare the relative concentrations of these micronutrients in common foods. This database is an important step in that direction."

According to the database, purple grape juice topped the beverage list by containing 124 milligrams of proanthocyanidins per 8 ounce serving. Compared to grape juice, red wine had 91 milligrams/5 ounce serving, cranberry juice cocktail had 55 milligrams/8 ounce serving, brewed tea had 32 milligrams/8 ounce serving and apple juice had 30 milligrams/8 ounce serving. Beer and chocolate milk trailed, each with about 7 milligrams/serving (12 and 8 ounce servings, respectively).

This data reinforces a previous study which found Concord grape juice to have more than twice the antioxidant capacity of orange, apple, grapefruit or tomato juice.

Another researcher who has studied the cardiovascular health benefits of Concord grape juice, John D. Folts, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin Medical School-Madison, notes, "These findings underscore what we know already about the potential benefits of Concord grape juice. In preliminary studies, it reduced the tendency of blood platelets to clot, slowed the oxidation of LDL or bad cholesterol, enhanced the flexibility of the arteries and reduced blood pressure."

While the authors recognize the interest in proanthocyanidins because of their potent antioxidant and potential protective effect, choosing foods high in these compounds is only one part of a healthy diet.

Well recognised in the US for decades, Concord grape juice is a relative newcomer to the UK market but has seen it popularity double during the past two years and is currently one of the fastest growing categories of juice.

The USDA database can be reached via the following link
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/PA/PA.html

Scott A. Clark
Chief Executive Officer
Tonic Life Communications Ltd.
t: +44 (0) 20 7798 9900
t: +44 (0) 20 7798 9901 (direct)
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Scott A. Clark
Chief Executive Officer
Tonic Life Communications Ltd.
t: +44 (0) 20 7798 9900
t: +44 (0) 20 7798 9901 (direct)
f: +44 (0) 20 7233 8780
http://www.toniclc.com