- 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.
Probably. There is evidence that drinking red wine may reduce your risk of heart disease. This benefit is most likely due to a substance called resveratrol found in the skin and seeds of grapes — especially dark red and purple grapes. Resveratrol is also found in grape juice — especially juice made from the dark purple Concord grapes.
Recent studies have suggested that red and purple grape juices may provide the same heart-healthy 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
Both red wine and grape juice also contain antioxidants called flavonoids, which have been shown to increase your high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or "good") cholesterol and lower your risk of clogged arteries (atherosclerosis), and may help lower blood pressure.
These findings on grape juice are good news for people who want the cardiovascular benefits of red wine without the alcohol.
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