Grape Powder Cuts Atherosclerosis In Animal Study

Eating fresh grapes may prevent the accumulation of oxidized cholesterol as well as the development of atherosclerotic lesions, report scientists in Israel. They believe that the antioxidant polyphenols in grapes are responsible for this beneficial impact, confirming findings from epidemiological studies that have demonstrated lower risk of heart attack among wine drinkers. Atherosclerosis develops when high blood cholesterol leads to the thickening and hardening of arteries. It is responsible for more than half the deaths in developed countries, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). A team from the Lipid Research Laboratory at the Rambam Medical Center in Israel standardized freeze-dried powder made from fresh California grapes. Thirty mice bred to develop the condition were assigned to consume either water alone (control), 150 mug total polyphenols per day in the form of grape powder or the equivalent amount of glucose and fructose (placebo) in drinking water for 10 weeks.