Written by Patrick Massey, M.D., Ph.D. Grapes contain powerful compounds that have positive health effects on heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and cancer.
Behold the humble purple grape. For centuries, we have included grapes in our diets because they taste good and are so versatile – as a snack, in making wine, in jam or jelly, or dried as raisins. Now we are discovering that grapes contain powerful compounds that may very be beneficial for our health. Their positive effects on heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and cancer may even redefine medical therapies for the future. The active ingredients in purple grapes are part of a class of compounds called flavonoids. Further research has discovered that one specific flavonoid – resveratrol – appears to be very important.
Resveratrol is found in large amounts in purple grape extracts, as well as red wine, peanuts and soy. Itadori tea, a traditional Japanese and Chinese herbal tea, also contains resveratrol. Interesting, this tea has been used in Asia for the treatment of heart disease and strokes. How is it possible that resveratrol can help medical conditions as different as heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and cancer? Cellular damage, called oxidation, occurs in all three diseases.
Highly reactive compounds, called free radicals, damage cells by chemically binding to them (our bodies are constantly making free radicals). This type of damage may promote atherosclerosis and heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and even cancer. Resveratrol has been shown to act as a powerful antioxidant (more powerful than either vitamins E or C). It may protect tissues from damage by minimizing the effects of free radicals. It also may protect the body through other mechanisms.
Purple grape extract also inhibits platelets from coming together to form blood clots. In traditional medicine, we prescribe aspirin to prevent the blood clots that can cause strokes and heart attacks. Grape extract, like some medications, also directly dilates blood vessels, increasing the blood flow to the brain and heart. The heart benefits of resveratrol are so positive that it has been suggested that moderate amounts of red wine or purple grape juice should be included among the 5 to 7 daily servings of fruits and vegetables that are recommended by the American Heart Association for reducing the risk of heart disease.
However, some of the most exciting research has been in the prevention and treatment of cancer. Grape extract can inhibit cancer growth (in the test tube) and, for some cancer cells, it is lethal.
Pre-treatment of some cancer cells with resveratrol has been shown to increase their sensitivity to chemotherapy. This suggests that using resveratrol with chemotherapy might be better than chemo-therapy alone, especially for drug-resistant tumor cells. Resveratrol may also be a good adjunctive therapy for early Alzheimer’s disease. It has been shown to prevent oxidation of the specific chemicals in the brain that are linked to the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Purple grape juice is a simple and tasty source of resveratrol. It seems that a glass or two of grape juice daily has significant and lasting benefits…and it’s definitely going on my weekly shopping list.
Posted November 19, 2008.
