Muscadine, Concord & Niagara Grapes are three of the twenty two ingredients contained in SenSatiaFruit.

Did you know that some grape vine root stocks have been found in China that date back to before the great ice age?

It seems that grapes have been part of civilization from the earliest times. Wine from grapes was recorded in ancient Egypt 6000 years ago and it is likely that they were used as a fresh food much earlier than that.

Grapes are thought to have originated in the Caucasian region and the deliberate cultivation of grapes probably started around the Caspian Sea.

While mankind has known for centuries that grapes were beneficial, ongoing medical and scientific research is further validating those benefits on a daily basis.

SenSatiaFruit contains three different varieties of whole grapes (skin, seed and pulp) as each of these varieties contain specific beneficial nutrient co-factors.

One of the other main reasons for using these three varieties, is that they all taste so good.

While there are literally thousands of beneficial nutrients found in grapes, space does not permit us to even attempt to deal with more than just OPC's, Bioflavonoids and Resveratrol here.

OPC's:

OPC's (Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins) are a set of bioflavonoid complexes that perform as free radical scavengers in the human body. Many names refer to this set of bioflavonoids, including OPC's, Oligomeric Procyanidolic Complexes, leuco anthocyanin, anthocyanidin and still others.

A brief review of the multiple benefits of OPC should convince even the most skeptical scientist of the value of increasing daily intake of bioflavonoids, including OPC.

OPC inhibits damage to blood vessels and inhibits abnormal clotting of blood, both of which are related to heart disease. OPC inhibits excessive metabolizing of nitric oxide, a process linked to inflammation, arthritis, and Alzheimer's disease (Fitzpatrick).

OPC 100 mg given to smokers two hours after smoking inhibited clotting of platelets more effectively and faster than 500 mg of aspirin. A 200 mg dose of OPC was even more effective with effects lasting a week after the OPC was stopped (Watson, Putter). OPC corrects some forms of infertility in males by increasing the number of structurally normal sperm, a more cost effective treatment than expensive fertility drugs (Roseff)!

OPC is one of nature's most powerful antioxidants, inhibiting superoxide and hydroxyl forms of oxygen free radicals more effectively than either Vitamin C or E (Bagchi).

OPC inhibits lipid peroxidation of blood fats more effectively than Vitamin E (Bagchi).

OPC inhibits growth of cancer cells in the laboratory while simultaneously enhancing the growth and viability of normal human gastric mucosal cells (Ye).

OPC inhibits acetaminophen-induced liver death in lab mice (Ray).

OPC improved venous insufficiency in 80% of patients treated for just 10 days with 100 mg of OPC. Itching, heaviness and pain disappeared with rapid reduction of the swelling in lower limbs. Symptom improvement correlated with objective changes in videocapillaroscope examination of blood flow (Constantini).

Resveratrol, a chemical found in the skin of grapes, was shown to protect lipid and protein membranes against copper- induced oxidation (Fremont).

OPC binds to both collagen and elastin fibers in connective tissue to reduce their rate of degradation by inflammatory enzymes (Tixier).

OPC protects the lining of blood vessel walls from free radical damage (Rong).

OPC reduces diabetic retinal bleeding and improves vision within a few weeks on as little as 100 mg per day (Froantin).

OPC reduces peripheral edema in several studies involving over 4,000 patients (Henreit).

OPC increases capillary resistance, resulting in lower systolic blood pressure (Lagrue).

OPC reduces severity and duration of soft tissue injuries in soccer players treated immediately following injury with 400 mg per day tapering over several weeks to 200 mg per day of OPC from grape seed extract (Parienti).

OPC reduces symptoms in gastric ulcers (Saito).

OPC reduces post-surgical swelling and pain and speeds soft tissue recovery when elective facial surgery patients were pre- treated before and after surgery (Baruch).

OPC reduced symptoms of PMS in over 60% of patients treated with 200 mg of OPC for three months and in 80% of patients treated for six months (Amsellem).

OPC is an acronym for "oligomeric proanthocyanidins", a polyphenolic phytochemical extracted from many different plants of which the highest concentrations for supplement use are found in grape seed extract, entire grape extract, and pine bark extract.

OPC is distinct from other plant flavonoids because it is a flavan-3-ol. Flavanols differ from flavonoids in that flavanols are highly water-soluble, absorbable and bioavailable. OPC is quickly and readily distributed throughout the body within minutes to a few hours of oral ingestion. OPC also contains ellagitannins in lesser amounts than red raspberries.

OPC is a potent scavenger of free radicals. It is one of nature's most potent antioxidants. OPC contains multiple electron donor sites (hydroxyl sites) that allow it to bind to unstable molecules called free radicals by donating its hydrogen atoms. OPC also recycles other antioxidants such as Vitamin C and glutathione by removing the free radicals they bind with and freeing them up to interact again with other free radicals.

Examples of free radical scavenging activities of OPC include: traps hydroxyl and superoxide radicals; inhibits or delays onset of lipid peroxidation; chelates free iron molecules and inhibits iron-induced lipid peroxidation; reduces free radical production by inhibiting the enzyme xanthine oxidase; and inhibits degradative enzymes that produce free radicals through soft tissue damage (hyaluronidase, elastase, collagenase, protease).

OPC from grape seed extract contains the most potent antioxidant activity of the various polyphenols studied. In one study rat blood vessel walls were exposed to free radicals and the ability of grape seed extract, pine bark, and bilberry to protect the blood vessel walls from damaged was measured. Grape seed extract provided the best arterial wall defense against the damaging effects of free radicals and on an absolute scale, was 22% stronger than pine bark extract and 15% greater than bilberry extract (Jonadet).

OPC binds to protein tissue such as collagen, producing a wide range of benefits to health and anti-aging. OPC binds to the collagen in blood vessel walls, making capillaries stronger and more elastic, improving circulation, and reducing blood pressure. Since joint capsules, ligaments, and tendons are also made up of collagen, OPC typically improves joint elasticity and range of motion. Since skin is also predominantly collagen, OPC is billed in France as the internal cosmetic, making skin more elastic, softening wrinkles, and giving skin over time a more youthful appearance.

The protein-binding properties of OPC also affect protein receptor sites that control enzymes of inflammation and allergy. OPC blocks the release of histamine, resulting in reduced symptoms in allergies, ulcers, and asthma. OPC blocks the release of proteases and collagenases, resulting in reduced swelling, inflammation, and pain in arthritis.

OPC reduces pain, inflammation, swelling, and stiffness in joints made symptomatic from arthritis or injury in several documented ways. OPC is a potent anti-inflammatory that inhibits the release of degradative enzymes including collagenases, proteases, and elastases that damage soft tissues including joint cartilage and synovial joint linings. OPC is a potent antioxidant that inhibits free radical damage and inflammatory response following injury. OPC speeds recovery from acute injury by inhibiting or reducing the formation of soft tissue edema secondary to acute inflammation. OPC reduces symptoms of chronic joint stiffness and restores functional mobility by improving elasticity of connective tissues. OPC speeds up healing by increasing circulation to joints.

OPC may be the ultimate anti-aging nutrient. OPC improves the appearance of skin. OPC increases circulation to the brain and enhances cognitive functions such as memory and mood. OPC reduces joint stiffness associated with wear and tear of aging.OPC is a potent antioxidant that slows aging by inhibiting the damaging effects of free radicals.

Diabetics experienced reduced diabetic retinopathy and improved retinal appearance and clinical visual acuity after taking as little as 100 mg of OPC per day for six weeks. OPC may enhance peripheral circulation and reduce symptoms of diabetic neuropathy.

OPC has no known side effects such as mutagenecity, carcinogenecity, cellular toxicity or allergic reactions in over fifty years of clinical and laboratory research.
 

What are bioflavonoids?

Complex organic plant compounds found mostly in fruits, vegetables and certain tree barks. They are powerful antioxidants, "free-radical scavengers" and function as helpers to influence the body immune response to inflammation, allergy and infection. There are more than 20,000 different types of bioflavonoids, of which OPC's are considered the most potent antioxidants.

Bioflavonoids are sometimes referred to as vitamin P for purposes of classification; however they are not vitamins as such. They are water-soluble antioxidants that are part of a group of natural pigments. Many scientific studies on Bioflavonoids have demonstrated the substance’s wide range of qualities. Bioflavonoids are naturally occurring substances thought to preserve a normal environment in the walls of the small blood vessels.

Polyphenol, a rich substance of Bioflavonoids, is present in all fruits and vegetables and has anti-allergy properties of the kind that actually prevent allergic reactions rather than treat the symptoms.

Bioflavonoids possess antiviral, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, and antioxidant activities, and may therefore be useful in preventing and/or treating a wide variety of conditions. Bioflavonoids work in sync with vitamin C to preserve and protect capillaries, promote circulation, lower cholesterol levels, and prevent allergic reactions.

Resveratrol:

Resveratrol has recently been in the news because new studies on animals have shown that resveratrol supplementation has the same beneficial effects on longevity as a restricted-calorie diet -- specifically, up to a 40% increase in lifespan! (Wall Street Journal, October 30, 2006, and New York Times, October 31, 2006.).

So, What is Resveratrol and Where Does it Come From?

Resveratrol is a phenolic compound that has been found to have strong antioxidant activity. Plants create resveratrol to protect themselves against the effects of poor growing conditions and severe weather. Resveratrol has been shown to reduce the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. There have been numerous studies that show the benefits of moderate red wine consumption on health. Red wine is fermented with the antioxidant-potent grape skins present; some studies suggest that the intake of red wine (and therefore resveratrol) may yield cholesterol-lowering effects.

Want to research Grapes further?

There are 19,800,000 references to Grapes on Google as of December 2006.

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