Science Behind Welch's

For well over a century people have been drinking in the goodness of Welch's juice made with Concord grapes. But it's only been in the last decade or so that scientists have examined Concord grapes, and the plant nutrients (polyphenols) found within, to uncover their role in supporting health. To learn more about what's behind the goodness of Concord grapes and how drinking grape juice can be a part of a healthy diet, click on a link below:

• Welch's Commitment to Grape Science
• Polyphenols: The Heart of the Grape’s Benefits
• The Fruit, the Whole Fruit, and Nothing But the Fruit
• A Toast to Your Health

 Welch's Commitment to Grape Science

Welch’s has a long-standing commitment to supporting independent research on the role of Concord and Niagara grapes in a healthy diet. For more information on the vibrantly colored Concord grape and the science behind the grape's health benefits, visit the Grape Science Center at grapescience.com.

 Polyphenols: The Heart of the Grape’s Benefits

Polyphenols, some of which give Concord grapes their vibrant color, are types of phytonutrients (plant nutrients) that naturally function as antioxidants and help promote overall health.^{1, 2, 3}

Concentrated in the skin and seeds of Concord and Niagara grapes, polyphenols act as antioxidants to help neutralize free radicals, which can harm healthy cells.^{1, 2}

Polyphenols are also found in onions, tea, red wine, blueberries, and certain nuts. They often contribute to the flavor and color of fruits and vegetables, and certain polyphenols are what give the Concord grape its deep purple hue.

With Welch’s 100% Grape Juice products, the goodness of Concord and Niagara grapes are squeezed into every glass. That’s because whole grapes – skin, seeds and all – are pressed to release polyphenols straight from the fruit.

For more information on phytonutrients for you and your clients, click here for Chemistry of Grapes.

 The Fruit, the Whole Fruit, and Nothing But the Fruit

Most people don't meet the daily recommendations for fruit, and the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that everyone -- adults and children -- get more fruit each day.⁵ Choosing a variety of both fruits and vegetables maximizes intake of the vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients (which can act as antioxidants) found in different plant foods. According to national data sources, most Americans need to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables to support overall health.^{4, 5} Dark-skinned blue and purple fruits, like the Concord grape, provide plant nutrients not found in many other colors of fruits and vegetables,⁶ yet consumption of purple and blue foods comprises only 3% of all fruit and vegetable intake.⁷

 A Toast to Your Health

As part of a well-balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, 100% grape juice made with Concord grapes is an easy way to get the heart-healthy goodness of purple fruit at any age. Many of the polyphenols in Concord grapes are the same as those found in red wine and may be associated with heart-health benefits.⁹ What’s more, Welch’s 100% Grape Juice made with Concord grapes is certified by the American Heart Association and carries the AHA heart-check mark.

References

1. O'Byrne DJ, Devaraj S, Grundy SM and Jialal I. Comparison of the antioxidant effects of Concord grape juice flavonoids alpha-tocopherol on markers of oxidative stress in healthy adults. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002. 76(6):1367-1374
2. Castilla P, Echarri R, Davalos A, Cerrato F, Ortega H, Teruel JL, Lucas MF, Gomez-Coronado D, Ortuno J and Lasuncion MA. Concentrated red grape juice exerts antioxidant, hypolipidemic, and antiinflammatory effects in both hemodialysis patients and healthy subjects. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006. 84(1):252-262.
3. Scalbert A, Manach C, Morand C, Rémésy C and Jiménez L. Dietary Polyphenols and the Prevention of Diseases. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2005. 45(4):287-306.
4. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010. 7th Edition, Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, December 2010.
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Among Adults - United States, 2005. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2007. 56(10):213-217. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5610a2.htm. Last Updated: March 15, 2007. (Accessed May 21, 2010).
6. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. 2010. Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) of Selected Foods, Release 2. Nutrient Data Laboratory Home Page: http://www.ars.usda.gov/nutrientdata/orac. Last Updated: May 4, 2010 (Accessed July 20, 2010).
7. Wu X, Beecher GR, Holden JM, Haytowitz DB, Gebhardt SE and Prior RL. Lipophilic and hydrophilic antioxidant capacities of common foods in the United States. J Agric Food Chem. 2004. 52(12):4026-4037.
8. Produce For Better Health Foundation. State of the Plate Study on America's Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables. Wilmington, Delaware. 2003.
9. Anselm E, Chataigneau M, Ndiaye M, Chataigneau T and Schini-Kerth VB. Grape juice causes endothelium-dependent relaxation via a redox-sensitive Src- and Akt-dependent activation of eNOS. Cardiovasc Res. 2007. 73(2):404-413.