SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Consuming grapes and grape products may be an effective and inexpensive way for consumers to prevent such diseases as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and tooth decay while improving the immune functions and increasing cognitive and motor functions among older people, according to a new supplement published in the September issue of the Journal of Nutrition.
"Within grapes and grape products, there are chemical classes of natural compounds which are capable of mediating biological responses against a variety of targets," said Dr. John Pezzuto, dean of the College of Pharmacy at the University of Hawaii Hilo, who moderated the Grape and Health Workshop sponsored by the National Grape and Wine Initiative (NGWI). "In considering grapes and health, a broader view—that takes into account all of the grape's chemical components including their metabolism, biological potential, biodistribution, absorption and processing—is key to developing a comprehensive and coherent explanation of their role in improving and supporting human health."
