Dieting? No Need to Ditch the Grape Juice

Concord, MA, October 6, 2008

More than two-thirds of Americans are either trying to lose weight or are watching what they eat to keep from gaining weight,  but new research suggests we don’t have to drop the Concord grape juice from the menu to drop that dress size. Drinking polyphenol packed 100% Concord grape juice isn’t associated with significant weight gain or changes in appetite and may actually reduce waist circumference,  according to new study data presented at the 49th Annual Meeting of the American College of Nutrition in Arlington, Virginia.  Consumed in moderation, Welch's 100% Grape Juice made from Concord grapes is a great complement to whole fruits and vegetables, and is a delicious and convenient way to consume more fruits as part of a balanced diet. One 8-ounce glass of Welch’s 100% Grape Juice counts as two servings (or one cup) of fruit.
 
“Previous research has demonstrated that people generally do not eat less after consuming energy from beverages, to the same extent as they reduce dietary energy intake after eating,” said Dr. Richard Mattes, Director of the Ingestive Behavior Research Center and Professor in the Department of Foods and Nutrition at Purdue University, and lead study investigator. “However, in this study, people who drank Concord grape juice daily compensated for the energy in the grape juice, by ingesting less energy from other foods and drinks.”

The study examined the effect of regular consumption of polyphenol rich 100% Concord grape juice on body weight, diet quality and markers of metabolic syndrome, compared to a placebo grape flavored beverage. Compared to baseline, the participants who drank 100% Concord grape juice did not show significant weight gain and showed a significant decline in waist circumference, one of the five determinants of metabolic syndrome. Those drinking the placebo juice gained on average 3.4lbs and did not show a significant change in waist circumference. Additionally, participants drinking polyphenol-rich 100% Concord grape juice daily did not show a significant change in appetite, while those who drank the placebo showed a significant decline in self-reported fullness over the same time period.

The double-blind placebo controlled trial included 76 men and women between the ages of 18 and 50 years who were slightly to moderately overweight (body mass index of between 25.0 and 29.9). Each participant drank two 8-ounce servings of 100% Concord grape juice per day, the placebo drink, or was assigned to a non-treatment control group. The placebo beverage was matched in calorie and sugar content but did not contain the polyphenol antioxidants found in 100% Concord grape juice.

This adds to the wealth of data on Welch’s 100% Grape Juice. This original Super Juice is made from the entire Concord grape including the skins and seeds, which are pressed to release an abundance of natural polyphenol antioxidants. Polyphenol antioxidants appear to promote good health and have been shown to help protect the body against free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can harm healthy cells. Welch’s 100% Grape Juice has significantly higher antioxidant power per serving than other popular 100% fruit juices.  It has twice the antioxidant power per serving of orange juice and nearly six times more than apple juice.

Welch Foods Inc. is committed to supporting independent research exploring the role of Concord grape juice in a healthy lifestyle and provided support for the Purdue University study. Study collaborators included James Hollis and Jenny Houchins of the Laboratory for Sensory and Ingestive Studies, from the Department of Foods and Nutrition at Purdue University, and Dr. Jeffery Blumberg of the Antioxidants Research Laboratory at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University.

About Welch’s
Headquartered in Concord, Massachusetts, Welch’s is the processing and marketing subsidiary of the National Grape Cooperative Association whose Concord and Niagara grapes are harvested from vineyards across America and in select locations in Canada.  Since the inception of its “unfermented grape wine” in 1869, Welch’s now produces and markets grape juice and grape jelly plus more than 400 other fruit-based products from juices to dried fruit to frozen concentrates.  Studies show that Welch’s 100% Grape Juice made from Concord grapes helps promote a healthy heart and arteries, helps maintain a healthy immune system, and helps support a healthy mind.   Welch’s is committed to researching and developing new products to meet the growing demand for products that address consumers’ health and wellness needs.  Welch’s products are sold throughout the United States and in 50 countries around the globe.  For more information, visit http://www.welchs.com.

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