Grape juice is good for the heart

Red grape juice improves cholesterol levels and indications of infection associated with heart disease, according to a Spanish study.

Scientists, led by Miguel Lasuncion, of the Biochemical Research Agency at Ramon & Cajal Hospital in Madrid, Spain, chose 15 healthy people and 22 people with heart disease. They were given 100ml of red grape juice daily for two weeks and blood samples were taken to measure blood fat levels and indicate inflammation (MCP-1).

After two weeks, both healthy people and patients reduced LDL cholesterol levels and oxidized LDL levels. HDL cholesterol levels increase for all red grape juice users. In addition, the MCP-1 level decreased by 56% at the end of the period of supplementary grape juice use.

Q.HONG