Grapes Lower Blood Pressure

New research conducted in 80 healthy males, ages 45 to 70 found that those with elevated blood pressure who drank 12 oz. of Concord grape juice daily for twelve weeks lowered both their systolic and diastolic blood pressures significantly. The study was presented at annual Convention of the Federation for American Societies of Experimental Biology (April 2003).

" This is one of the first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies to use a whole juice--in this case Concord grape juice," explains study author Kevin Maki, Ph.D., Director, Nutrition and Metabolism Research Unit, Radiant Research, Chicago. "In our study, blood pressure was measured as part of the basic health information of the study participants. When we reviewed the data, we saw reductions of nearly six points in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements among the hypertensive men drinking Concord grape juice. Those on the calorie-matched placebo showed no significant change."

The study, presented at the annual meeting of FASEB, the Federation for American Societies of Experimental Biology, looked at 80 healthy males, ages 45 to 70. For 12 weeks, half drank an average of 12 ounces of Concord grape juice per day and half drank the same amount of a placebo beverage designed to look and taste like grape juice.

The participants with above-median systolic blood pressure who drank Concord grape juice showed a drop from an average baseline systolic blood pressure of 142.7 mm Hg to 137, and from 87.9 to 82.1 mm Hg (p less than 0.05) for diastolic blood pressure. The participants with above-median blood pressure who consumed the placebo showed no change from baseline.

The US National High Blood Pressure Education Program estimates that lowering systolic blood pressure by 5 points would result in a 14% reduction in deaths from stroke and a 9% reduction from heart disease.

The study authors point to two previous clinical studies showing that consuming Concord grape juice improved arterial wall flexibility, as demonstrated by increased flow-mediated vasodilation, as suggesting a possible mechanism of action for the reduced blood pressure.

Recent research has also shown the ability of purple grape juice to slow the oxidation of LDL cholesterol as well as inhibit the tendency of blood to clot. Both functions contribute to maintaining healthy cardiovascular function.

The study was underwritten by Welch Foods Inc.

Dr. Hansen’s Recommendation
Grape Seed Extract has been shown to improve blood vessel elasticity, increase red blood cell pliability, inhibit platelet stickiness and clumping, normalize blood flow, improve oxygenation, decrease bruising, bleeding, and edema, prevent blood clots, as well as reduce elevated blood pressure. Many of my patients have found that taking Grape Seed Extract lowered their cholesterol levels remarkably. Researchers have discovered that OPC also reduces the size of cholesterol plaque in the blood vessel walls of animals.

The skin of grapes have also been found to contain another unique ingredient known as Resveretrol, which has been shown to block angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) known to cause high blood pressure. Resveratrol has also been shown to prevent the initiation and promotion of cancer. I believe that Grape Seed/Skin Extract is the most potent preventive medicine that you can take. I recommend that all of my patients take GSE Ultra 110 daily to help prevent heart disease, cancer, strokes, diabetes, arthritis, glaucoma and aging. For more information about GSE Ultra 110, please click here: