Muscadine Grapes - The X Factor
In our last article on Resveratrol Supplements
we explained how to make the best choices when it comes to finding a quality Resveratrol supplement. In this article we look at the Muscadine Grape - a
fascinating super grape that is like no other grape in the world. Once you learn about Muscadine grapes you will see how they make the
perfect match to Resveratrol.
What Are Muscadine Grapes?
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Muscadine grapes grow throughout the SouthEastern United States. Muscadine grapes (Vitis rotundifolia), also called Scuppernong, are bronze
or a purple black color. Muscadine grapes tend to be larger, stronger and have thicker skins than traditional grapes.
The climate and weather conditions in the Southeastern United States can be harsh and unpredictable. It is this very difficult climate that
helped the Muscadine Grape evolve into a grape like no other.
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Muscadine Grapes and Their Extra Chromosomes
Normal grapes have 19 pairs of chromosomes. Muscadines actually have an extra pair of chromosomes - they have 20 pairs! While the
fact that muscadines have more chromosomes makes for some interesting trivia, the real excitement comes from the change in phytochemicals
that those extra chromosomes bring about.
Whatever Does Not Kill Me Makes Me Stronger - this applies to grapes as well.
Muscadine grapes thrive in climates and conditions that would kill most European grapes. Surviving the tough conditions of the SouthEast makes
the muscadine grape stronger and more packed with nutrients than any other grape.
In our article, The Big Picture on Resveratrol, we went over some of the the terminology when it comes to classifying the compounds in
fruits. Basically fruits are made up of lots of different phytochemicals and it is these phytochemicals that give fruits many of their
health benefits.
While Phytochemicals will vary slightly from a red grape grown in California to a red grape grown in France, their nutrients are very
similar and therefore their health properties are very similar. Muscadine Grapes are unique in that they have a very different
phytochemical makeup compared to standard grapes.
Muscadine Grapes:
- 20 Chromosome pairs (regular grapes have 19)
- 6 Times the Resveratrol content of regular red grapes
- The only grape to contain the very healthy Ellagic Acid (more on this later)
- More Dietary Fiber than Rice or Oat Bran
- High Quercetin levels (a very healthy flavonoid)
- 40x Higher Antioxidants levels compared to standard red grapes
Sounds Great, Where can I Find Muscadine Products?
In places like Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and Texas muscadine grapes appear in all
types of local recipes. Muscadine wines, muscadine jams, muscadine juice and muscadine jelly are all very popular in the Southeastern USA.
While we encourage people to try the various muscadine wines, jellies and juices - these products do not offer the full health benefits
of the muscadine grape. It turns out the Muscadine Seeds and the Muscadine skin/pulp have very different health properties. The muscadine seeds will
provide more fiber, resveratrol and certain antioxidants. The Muscadine skin and pulp will provide more ellagic acid and other phytochemical. For this
reason, a Muscadine Supplement that uses the whole Muscadine Grape - skin, pulp, juice and seed - will provide the most health benefits.
How will a Muscadine Supplement Help Me?
Now that we know the basics about what a Muscadine Grape is and how it differs from standard grapes, we can move onto what are the
health benefits of the Muscadine grape...
Muscadine Grape
