Researchers suggest Muscadine grape as the fruit of choice for antioxidants and resveratrol. Muscadine grapes are different from other grapes in many ways. For one thing they have very thick skin. They also have significantly more antioxidants and resveratrol than other grapes. The grape’s thick skin makes the muscadine grape naturally resistant to diseases, fungi and insects. This natural resistance is the foundation of the grapes antioxidant power and resveratrol production.
Further, the muscadine grape has an extra set of chromosomes which contain a genetic structure which causes muscadine to produce a unique balance of healthy phtyonutrients, which do not exist in other grapes.
Muscadine grapes have over 9 times the antioxidant potency than other grapes. This species of grape also has a potent level of resveratrol and ellagic acid. Resveratrol is currently undergoing extensive research all over the world regarding its potential to fight disease, prevent disease and to slow down the ill effects of aging. Ellagic acid is substance which has shown anti-proliferative and antioxidant properties in a number of in vitro and small-animal models. The substance ellagic acid is also being investigated for its potential health benefits.
The U.S. National Institute of Health says that one of the chief causes of deteriorating health as people age is the relentless attack from free-radicals. Free-radical damage to the human brain cells plays an important role in deteriorating mental functions as we age. The human body makes special enzymes to neutralize free-radicals. But as people get older, they get the fewer of these enzymes produced by the body. Another way to battle free-radicals is to eat foods that are high in antioxidants.
Most of the health benefits of the Muscadine Grape are in the skin and the seed of the grape, not in the pulp. The skin of the Muscadine accounts for about 40% of the grapes weight.
Studies on muscadine grapes are ongoing. Past research has been conducted by the National Cancer Institute, the University of Florida, and by other organizations. Research findings so far have shown the Muscadine holds anti-inflammatory properties, has the ability to lower bad (LDL) cholesterol while raising good (HDL) cholesterol, and may inhibit the growth of prostate and breast cancer cells. While much more research needs to be done, many scientists and researchers seem to be intrigued and excited by the potential.
