Purple grape juice lowers coronary risk.

There appears to be something special about the fruits of the vine when it comes to preventing heart disease. In 1994, John D. Folts, professor of medicine and director of the Coronary Artery Thrombosis Research and Prevention Laboratory, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, published findings showing that red wine may prevent blood cells called platelets from becoming hyperactive and sticking to the arterial wall, a process that can contribute to coronary artery disease. Other studies have shown a link between drinking two to three glasses of red wine daily and lowered heart disease risk.

Folts' latest study indicates that purple grape juice, but not orange or grapefruit juice, inhibits platelet activity. So what do purple grape juice and red wine contain that orange and grapefruit juice don't? The answer, probably, is certain types of flavonoids given to them by nature.

"That's not to say orange and grapefruit juices don't contain flavonoids -- they do -- and both juices are good for you for a number of reasons. However, our findings suggest specific flavonoids in purple grape juice and red wine have stronger anti-platelet and, quite possibly, anti-oxidant properties than those in orange or grapefruit juices."

Flavonoids are vitamin-like compounds found naturally in many fruits and vegetables, in addition to dark beer and tea. A number of epidemiological studies from around the world have concluded that increased consumption of flavonoids may prevent heart disease and stroke. About 1,000 different kinds of flavonoids exist, and many researchers are trying to find out which ones protect against heart disease.

Folts compared the abilities of grape, orange, and grapefruit juices to...