November 19, 2011

Health And Wellness Benefits Of Muscadine Grape Juice

In recent years, a deeper understanding has developed about the correlation of health and wellness and nutrition. As a result, many people are raising their awareness about the foods they buy and what they contain. Foods known to contain antioxidants, naturally occurring compounds in fruits and vegetables that help the body process free radicals, have become quite popular. One example of such a food choice is muscadine grape juice.

Muscadines grow well in the climate of the Southeastern US. Specifically, they can be found in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, North and South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee and Mississippi. Unlike other grapes, this particular species does very well in the hot and humid conditions of the region.

Variations in the structure of this particular species is thought to be the key to its ability to survive harsh conditions that others cannot. These structural differences are also a key to the nutritional value of the fruit. The structure itself consists of a thick skin covering a pulp center mixed with hard oblong seeds. The seeds contain an extra pair of chromosomes as compared to other grape species. The thickness of the outer skin helps protect the fruit against the threat of insects, fungi, UV radiation, heat and humidity. Interestingly, the skin also contains 6-8 times the amount of antioxidant that can be found in whole blueberries.

The skin and seeds of this fruit have been found to have significant nutritional value. Muscadines are known to have several different types of antioxidants, and the species has a remarkably high Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) score as compared to other fruits, with antioxidant power scoring at 6,800 per 100 grams. Red grapes, by way of comparison, have a score of 739 per 100 grams. Examples of known antioxidants that exist in this species are resveratrol and ellagic acid.

The significant antioxidant presence of this juice has numerous benefits to health and wellness. Two major antioxidants found in muscadines, resveratrol and ellagic acid, are both known for their anti-carcinogenic effects. They are also known for the positive impact that they have on cardiovascular health and on the improvements that are seen in the metabolic functioning of diabetics.

With its very thick and tough skin, this fruit is not the easiest to snack on. Muscadine grape juice is a good way to enjoy the delicious fruit and to access the benefits of the antioxidant power that it contains. The numerous health and wellness benefits make it a smart addition to anyone’s diet! muscadine grape juice