New Research Shows Grape Juice Consumption Helps Support the Immune System
April 6, 2008
Drinking 100% Grape Juice Made from Concord Grapes Significantly Increased Number of “Watchdog” Immune Cells, Priming the Immune System for Better Response
CONCORD, MASS — Everyday stress and seasonal changes can weaken immune function, making our bodies more susceptible to potential invaders. By eating a healthy diet, it is easier to maintain a stronger immune system. A new study, just presented at the 2008 Experimental Biology Annual Meeting1, showed that drinking grape juice daily primed the immune system for a better response – providing further reason to include a glass of 100% grape juice made from Concord grapes, as part of your daily diet.
This research, led by Susan S. Percival, PhD at the University of Florida, Gainesville, found that healthy participants who drank Welch’s 100% Grape Juice daily showed a significant increase in a specific type of immune cell – the gamma delta T cell – that can help ready the immune system to protect against potential invaders. These gamma delta T cells, which are present in the lining of the esophagus, lungs, gut, and urinary tract, are the first line of defense against inhaled or ingested pathogens and serve as “watchdogs” within the immune system.
Gamma delta T cells play an important role in the immune system by signaling to the body that response is necessary. “This study highlights the important role diet plays in maintaining a healthy immune system,” said Dr. Percival. “It is particularly interesting to see that a food, in this case 100% grape juice made from Concord grapes, can increase the population of these gamma delta T cells, thus priming immunity and contributing to healthy immune response."
The research study was a double-blind, randomized controlled nine-week trial in which 80 healthy adults over 50 years of age drank 12 ounces daily of either Welch’s 100% Grape Juice made from Concord grapes or a placebo.
The research further demonstrated grape juice’s protective antioxidant capability and showed that the grape juice drinkers’ immune cells were protected from damage when externally exposed to an oxidative stressor. Only those who drank the grape juice had a reduced number of DNA strand breaks, indicating a protective antioxidant function.
“Consumers love Welch’s 100% Grape Juice for its great taste, abundant natural antioxidant capacity and ability to promote heart health,” said Carla McGill, PhD, RD and nutrition consultant to Welch’s. “Now, consumers have another reason to drink 100% grape juice: its ability to improve our immune system’s ‘surveillance system’ capability.”
In several recent studies of foods and beverages, Welch's 100% Grape Juice has consistently been ranked among the top beverages in antioxidant capacity per serving. Based on the average values reported in the recently updated USDA ORAC Database2, the antioxidant power per 8-ounce serving of Welch's 100% Grape Juice made from Concord grapes is:
• More than twice as high as orange juice
• Nearly twice as high as 100% grapefruit juice
• More than twice as high as 100% cranberry juice blend
• Five times higher than 100% tomato juice
• Nearly six times higher than 100% apple juice.
Welch Foods, Inc. is committed to supporting independent research exploring the role of Concord grape juice in a healthy lifestyle and provided support for the University of Florida study.
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1 Nantz, M.P., Rowe, C.A., Nieves, C.J., and Percival, S.S., (2008) Bioactive compounds from Concord grapesprime gammadelta T cells and reduce DNA strand breaks. 2008 Experimental Biology meeting abstracts, Abstract#150.1; http://www.eb2008.org. Accessed Mar 31, 2008.
2 U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service. Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) of
Selected Foods – 2007. http://www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=15866. 2007. (Accessed: Nov. 30, 2007).
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