When it comes to choosing a red wine, there is a wide variety of options available from all over the world. Muscadine wine is derived from the muscadine grapes that are grown in the United States. The deep purple wine is hearty and full bodied. In addition to it's rich flavor and earthy aroma, muscadine wine is ripe with significant health benefits.
Heart Disease
Red wine is often touted as a heart healthy beverage when consumed in moderation. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, evidence suggests that the consumption of red wine reduces heart disease. Resveratrol is a phytochemical, a naturally occurring substance that is present in various fruits and vegetables, including grapes. The Mayo Clinic states, "Some research shows that resveratrol could be linked to a reduced risk of inflammation and blood clotting, both of which can lead to heart disease." There is a significantly higher amount of resveratrol in muscadine wine than in chardonnay and pinot.
Cancer
When it comes to red wines, those produced from muscadine grapes may offer additional protection against cancer. According to the University of Florida, a substantial amount of the anti-cancer compound ellagic acid is present in muscadine wine, but not in cabernet. This is supported by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, which states, "National laboratory experiments show that an extract of the skin of muscadine grapes can inhibit growth of prostate cancer cells in the laboratory." It further explains that in addition to the antioxidant activity of anthocyanins, the chemical responsible for producing the deep pigment in grapes, they have also shown numerous antitumor effects.
Immune System
Muscadine wine has the potential to strengthen the immune system and offer increased protection from disease. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, studies showed that mice who were given muscadine wine had an increase in immune function. This may be largely due to the amount of resveratrol present in muscadine grapes. One class of phytochemicals in resveratrol, known as phenolic compounds, is abundant in grape skins. The University of Florida explains that, "Phenolic compounds act as antioxidants -- substances that neutralize free radicals produced by our normal metabolism."
Cholesterol
As more is learned about the potential health benefits of resveratrol, studies suggest that there may be a link between resveratrol and improved health. The high level of resveratrol found in muscadine wine can help reduce Low Denisty Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. The Mayo Clinic states that the combination of antioxidants and resveratrol found in red wines may help increase High Denisty Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Although all red wine seems to have this potential, the effects from drinking muscadine wine may be increased due to the higher level of resveratrol present in the wine.
References
- United States Department of Agriculture; Health Benefits of Red Muscadine Wine; Percival, S. S. Talcott, S. T.
- University of Florida; Immune Benefits of Consuming Red Muscadine Wine; Susan S. Percival, Charles A. Sims, Stephen T. Talcott
- United States Department of Health and Human Services; Unique Grape Skin Extract Inhibits Prostate Cancer Cell Growth in the Laboratory; August 31, 2007
- The Mayo Clinic Heart disease
- North Carolina Muscadine Grape Association: Health Benefits
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