Resveratrol Muscadines

Apr 30 2009

Published by admin at 8:49 am under Muscandines

muscadine

The Unique Muscadine

Muscadine Grapes are like diamonds - precious and valuable. A well known story goes, "There was a man who roamed the world looking for diamonds. After travelling thousands of miles he discovered the diamonds were in his own backyard."

Although industry insiders call this amazing fruit "the best kept secret of the South", the vines grow wild in the backyards of many southeastern homes.

The muscadine grape differs from other grapes in several ways.

1.The muscadine skin is much thicker than other grapes. In fact, these thick skins account for 40% of the weight of the grape. This unusual trait gives the grapes a natural resistance to disease, fungi, and insects.

2. Muscadine grapes have an extra set of chromosomes containing genes that allow them to produce a unique balance of phytonutrients that are virtually absent in other grapes.

3.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.

4. Muscadine grapes contain high quantities of resveratrol. Researchers credit resveratrol in red wine as the reason the French people live long, healthy lives.

Muscadine Nutrition

Muscadines are technically in the berry family. They are low in fat and sodium, have a healthy amount of potassium, fiber and Vitamin C.

Dr. Betty Ector, nutritionist at Mississippi State says there is more fiber per ounce in muscadine grapes then in a bowl of oatmeal. Research tells us that low fat diets rich in fiber may reduce the risk of some types of cancer, and may reduce the risk of heart disease. One serving of muscadine grapes can help to lower cholesterol.

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.

.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.

Resveratrol

Resveratrol has been reported to provide cardiovascular protection, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. One of the highest sources of natural resveratrol is the skins of grapes, particularly the thick skins of the muscadine grapes.

Red wine has a high concentration of resveratrol primarily because the skins of the grape are left in the juice longer during fermentation to give it the red color. White wine contains less because the skins are removed before fermentation. For more information on all the phytonutrients listed, go to PubMed.