- With Mayo Clinic cardiologist
Martha Grogan, M.D.
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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. It's thought that red or purple grape products may reduce your risk of heart disease by relaxing your blood vessels, allowing your blood to more easily flow. This benefit is most likely due to substances called antioxidants found in the skin and seeds of grapes — especially dark red and purple grapes. One particularly important antioxidant, resveratrol, is also found in grape juice — especially juice made from dark purple Concord grapes.
Recent studies have suggested 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
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.
Eating whole red or purple grapes has benefits, as well. Some research suggests eating whole grapes also delivers the same antioxidants that are in grape juice and wine. You also get the benefit of the fiber if you eat whole grapes.
These findings on grape juice are good news for people who want the cardiovascular benefits of red wine without the alcohol. Remember, if you do choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation — no more than one drink a day for women or two drinks a day for men.
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- 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.
