Antioxidant
Red Grapes
A New Orleans study has revealed a new antioxidant that is
believed to be more potent that vitamin C, E, and
beta-carotene. This new disease-fighting substance is said
to be found in red grapes, whose juice and skin may offer
more than just wine.
The antioxidant red grapes are contained in the seeds of the
fruit. Scientists say that these antioxidant red grapes may
offer significant protection against certain types of
cancer, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cataracts, and
many other chronic and degenerative
diseases.
The new study on antioxidant red grapes, released in April
9, was conducted by researchers at Creighton University in
Omaha. The group of researchers who conducted the study say
that a compound extracted from the seeds of red grapes
called Activin ™ is that substance with powerful
antioxidant red grapes properties. Because of its apparent
powerful benefits, Activin was dubbed as the “super”
antioxidant red grapes.
During the research, the group tested the ability of the
antioxidant red grapes Activin in neutralizing and
inhibiting the damage caused by fee radicals in the brains
and livers of mice. Afterwards, they then compared the
effects of the new antioxidant red grapes compound to the
more popular antioxidants – vitamins E, C, and
beta-carotene.
Lead researcher of the Creighton team, Dr. Debasis Bagchi,
announced that Activin seemed to exhibit more powerful
potential compared to the other antioxidants.
“Our studies show that Activin is a more potent
antioxidant than vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene – up to
seven times more potent,” Bagchi said when he reported the
findings of their study at the Experimental Biology
conference in New Orleans.
“Activin is a powerful inhibitor of free
radical induced lipid peroxidation and DNA
fragmentation,” Bagchi further explained. “This is
significant because free radicals can destroy cell membranes
and damage DNA, and may be a root cause of certain types of
cancer, heart disease, and even the aging
process itself.”
The findings of this study on antioxidant red grapes may
also help explain the scientific logic behind the French
paradox – why the French have less risk of heart disease
even when they eat the richest types of food. Red wine has
always been considered more beneficial compared to white
wine in preventing heart disease. Apparently, the
antioxidant red grapes are the reason for that since red
wine is fermented with the seeds while white wine is not.
This most recent discovery of significant antioxidant red
grapes adds to the growing reputation of the red grape as a
healthful food. It also follows on the recent wave
antioxidants are generally making in the scientific
community these days.
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