GRAPES

Eating fresh grapes may prevent the accumulation of harmful oxidized cholesterol as well as the development of atherosclerotic lesions. According to the study, as reported in the Journal of Nutrition (Vol.135), naturally occurring antioxidants in fresh grapes known as polyphenols are believed to be responsible for this beneficial impact.

In order to ensure the scientific validity of grape health studies, a representative sample of fresh California grapes was collected, freeze-dried and ground into an edible grape powder. The grape powder used in this study contains all of the biologically active compounds found in fresh grapes.

“We found a remarkable reduction in the development of atherosclerosis following consumption of grape powder,” said principal investigator Bianca Fuhrman, at the Lipid Research Laboratory in Israel. “Grapes contain an abundance of powerful antioxidants that appear to inhibit an array of critical factors that can cause atherosclerosis.”

Atherosclerosis, also known as hardening of the arteries, is the result of cholesterol build-up on the arterial wall, which leads to blockage of the vessels that supply blood to the heart or the brain, resulting in a heart attack or stroke. Blood cholesterol is carried throughout the body by two lipoproteins. Low density lipoprotein (LDL), also known as bad cholesterol, deposits cholesterol in arterial walls when it is present in excess. High density lipoprotein (HDL), or the good cholesterol, removes the excess cholesterol from the arteries to the liver and out of the body. When cholesterol is damaged by oxidation, such as oxidized LDL cholesterol, it is more easily deposited on the arterial walls, leading to a blockage of the vessels. Diseased caused by atherosclerosis are the leading cause of illness and death in the U.S.

Dr.Fuhrman’s study showed that grape polyphenols reduced oxidative stress, increased serum antioxidant capacity, and reduced cell uptake of oxidized LDL cholesterol. “We are pleased to see studies such as this further the mounting evidence that grapes exert a protective role in heart health, this work provides insight that grapes impact a number of mechanisms that may lead to a reduction in atherosclerosis.”

Eating fresh grapes, drinking reconstituted frozen grape juice (purples grapes are best) are two ways to get this working in your life.

Give it a try!