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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