Grape Juice, Purple
Scientific Name(s): Vitis labrusca L., Vitis rotundifolia Michx., Vitis vinifera L.
Common Name(s): American bunch grapes (V. labrusca), European or "Old World" grapes (V. vinifera), Muscadine grapes (V. rotundifolia)
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 23, 2022.
Clinical Overview
Use
Purple grape juice has potential beneficial cardiac effects, likely due to its antioxidant activity; endothelial function has improved in most clinical studies. Antimicrobial and immune system effects have been demonstrated in vitro and in animal studies. A potential role in improving memory and cognition in elderly individuals is also being evaluated.
Dosing
In a systematic review investigating the effects of grape juice on human health, grape juice was administered in dosage ranges of 4 to 18 mL/kg/day and 100 to 500 mL/day for 5 to 30 days, often in 2 divided doses. Cardiac disease/risk factors: A wide variety of test dosages have been used to evaluate effects of dietary supplementation with grape juice on various cardiovascular disease risk factors. Dosages have ranged from 4 to 18 mL/kg/day, often in divided doses (durations ranged from 2 to 8 weeks), in some studies, while other studies used grape juice dosages of 100 to 500 mL/day (durations of 2 to 12 weeks). However, efficacy of these dosages has not been proven. Urinary tract symptoms: A 3-month intervention of 240 mL/day of grape juice was used in a clinical trial that enrolled men with lower urinary tract symptoms.
Contraindications
Aside from allergy to grapes, no contraindications have been identified.
Pregnancy/Lactation
Purple grape juice has "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) status when used as food. Avoid amounts greater than those found in food because safety has not been established.
Interactions
Decreased area under the curve (AUC) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) for cyclosporine occurred in healthy volunteers given purple grape juice, suggesting a need to separate purple grape juice consumption from cyclosporine dosing by at least 2 hours.
Adverse Reactions
Purple grape juice is generally well tolerated. Allergy, increased serum fasting insulin levels, and acidic saliva have been reported. Grape juice may also have a mild laxative effect.
Toxicology
No data.
Scientific Family
- Vitaceae
Botany
Grapes grow in bunches of 6 to 300 on woody, climbing vines and come in a variety of colors, including black, blue, gold, green, red, white, and purple. V. vinifera is a deciduous climber with several stems, tendrils, clusters of pale green flowers, and palm-shaped leaves. French hybrid varieties of grapes were developed mainly for winemaking. Grapes are native to southern Europe and western Asia but are cultivated in temperate regions throughout the world.Chevalier 1996, Ensminger 1994, USDA 2012
History
Grape leaves have been found in fossils dating back to prehistoric times. Grapes were domesticated in western Asia before 5000 BC and are mentioned in biblical writings and depicted in tomb paintings dating to 2400 BC. Jesuit priests first brought Spanish grapes to Mexico in the 1630s and established vineyards in what is now Socorro, New Mexico.
In 1652, English herbalist Nicholas Culpeper recommended grapes as mouthwash. In the 1850s, California became involved in grape cultivation. In 1927, eclectic physician A.M. Liebstein claimed grapes were beneficial for dyspeptic and febrile conditions, liver and kidney ailments, tuberculosis, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, osteomyelitis, gangrene, and cancer. In ...
