Great Shakes About Grape Juice

October 17, 2008

Purple grape juice contains “flavonoids” that may help prevent heart attacks. Flavonoids are found in many foods and beverages including orange and grapefruit juices but some are better than others at reducing platelet activity that can contribute to heart disease, Dr. John Folts of the University of Wisconsin Medical School told American College of Cardiology conference.

“That’s not to say orange and grapefruit juices don’t contain flavonoids – they do – - and both juices are good for you for a number of reasons. However, our findings suggest specific flavonoids in purple grape juice… have stronger antiplatelet and, quite possibly, antioxidant properties that those in orange and grapefruit juices.”

Platelets are small blood particles that play a major role in blood clothing and can worsen clogged arteries. In a study supported by a juice manufacturer, Folts said he measured platelet activity in humans, monkeys and dogs before and after they drank the three juices. All three reduced the activity but purple grape juice had a stronger effect, he said.

“Daily consumption of grape juice,” Folts said, “may reduce the incidence of coronary artery disease and acute platelet thrombus formation.”

Folts also said his colleagues some years ago thought he was “crazy as a loon” when he and others suggested aspirin could be a heart attack fighter. Aspirin is now an established way to combat coronary artery disease and “I see the aspirin story repeating itself all over again with flavonoids,’ he said.