Just
like our immune system, which produces more antibodies when under
attack, Muscadine grapes produce more disease fighting phenolic
compounds (antioxidants) when under stress from disease. Muscadine
grapes contain a powerful and unique combination of resveratrol,
ellagic acid, gallic acid, opcs and Quercetin, which has been
found to be a chemopreventative, very effective as a cholesterol
reducer, along with being anti-osteoporotic, and anti-diabetic,
and highly anti-inflammatory.
The
muscadine grape has significantly more antioxidant power than
other grapes. Research shows that muscadines have been measured
as high as 6,800 per 100 grams, compared to 739 per 100 grams
for any other grape. The grape skins alone have about 6-8 times
as much antioxidant power as whole blueberries.
Antioxidants and Anti-inflammatory Agents
Many of the phytonutrients (health-giving properties in plants)
present in the muscadine grape are powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory
agents. Antioxidants can reverse the damage caused by free radicals.
Anti-inflammatory agents ease the pain from arthritis and injuries.
Most
well known, resveratrol, is only one phytonutrient contained in
the muscadines. Here’s an extensive list of more.
Phytonutrient
contained in muscadines
| Ellagic
Acid |
Resveratrol |
| Catechin |
Epicatechin |
| Kaempferol |
Vitamin
C |
| Caffeic
Acid |
Quercetin |
| Myricetin |
Piceattanol |
| Gallic
Acid |
Pectin |
| Anthocyanidins |
|
These phytonutrients are well-known in the scientific and health
community for their beneficial effects. Quercetin benefits the
heart and other organs. Ellagic Acid has been linked to anti-aging.
Piceattanol (pie-see-at-a-nall) is a known anti-cancer agent.
Resveratrol is the most well-known of the nutrients.
The
power of antioxidants
“The finding that muscadine grapes are naturally high in
healthful antioxidants has led to an expansion of the industry.
Antioxidants help protect the body from the damaging effects of
oxygen free radicals, which can contribute to degenerative diseases.”
*
*Source:
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State
University, Raleigh, NC
News and Articles
======================
8/28/2008 - Muscadines
Winning Respect Outside Their Native Habitat
9/1/2007
- Muscadine
Grapes Show Potential to Treat Prostate Cancer
9/2/2007 - Muscadine
Grape Skin Extract Shows Promise for Prostate Cancer
8/31/2007 - Unique
Grape Skin Extract Inhibits Prostate Cancer Cell Growth in the
Laboratory
America's
First Grape: The Muscadine
Health
Facts From The North Carolina Muscadine Grape Association |
