- With Mayo Clinic cardiologist
Martha Grogan, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Martha Grogan, M.D.
Martha Grogan, M.D.
Dr. Martha Grogan is board-certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular diseases. She is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and received her medical degree from Northwestern University Medical School. Dr. Grogan has been on staff at Mayo Clinic since 1995 and is a consultant in the Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and is an assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Medical School.
Dr. Grogan is a noninvasive cardiologist specializing in heart failure, adult congenital heart disease and echocardiography. She has witnessed firsthand the importance of patient education in the treatment of diseases such as congestive heart failure and is excited about the tremendous educational opportunities now available through the Internet.
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Question
Grape juice: Same heart benefits as wine?
Does grape juice offer the same heart benefits as red wine?
Answer
from Martha Grogan, M.D.
Possibly. Some research studies suggest that red and purple grape juices may provide some of the same heart benefits of red wine, including:
- Reducing the risk of blood clots
- Reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol
- Preventing damage to blood vessels in your heart
- Helping maintain a healthy blood pressure
Grapes are rich in health-protecting antioxidants, including resveratrol and flavonoids. These antioxidants are found mainly in the skin, stem, leaf and seeds of grapes, rather than in their pulp. The amount of antioxidants in grapes depends on many factors, including the kind of grape, its geographic origin and how it's processed. Dark red and purple grapes tend to be higher in antioxidants than are white or green grapes. Likewise, the level of antioxidants such as resveratrol found in wine varies, with higher levels in red wine.
Besides grape juice, other grape products may offer health benefits, including dealcoholized wine, grape extracts and grape powder.
Keep in mind that it's also beneficial to eat whole grapes — not just grape juice. Some research suggests that whole grapes deliver the same amount of antioxidants that are in grape juice and wine but have the added benefit of providing dietary fiber.
Next questionOlive oil: What are the health benefits?
- Anselm E, et al. Grape juice causes endothelium-dependent relaxation via a redox-sensitive Src- and Akt-dependent activation of eNOS. Cardiovascular Research. 2007;73:404.
- Lekakis J, et al. Polyphenolic compounds from red grapes acutely improve endothelial function in patients with coronary heart disease. European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation. 2005;12:596.
- Chaves AA, et al. Vasoprotective endothelial effects of a standardized grape product in humans. Vascular Pharmacology. 2009;50:20.
- Davalos A, et al. Red grape juice polyphenols alter cholesterol homeostasis and increase LDL-receptor activity in human cells in vitro. The Journal of Nutrition. 2006;136:1766.
- Vitseva O, et al. Grape seed and skin extracts inhibit platelet function and release of reactive oxygen intermediates. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology. 2005;46:445.
- Visolocky LM, et al. Biomedical effects of grape products. Nutrition reviews. 2010;68:656.
- Rodrigo R., et al. Modulation of endogenous antioxidant system by wine polyphenols in human disease. Clinica Chimica Acta. 2011;412:410.
- Grogan M (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 15, 2011.
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