A new study shows the benefits of whole grape extract (VinCare by Ethical Naturals Inc.) on cholesterol balance, total cholesterol and antioxidant effects (Journal of Functional Foods (2014), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2013.12.017). The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, six-week pilot study was conducted on 24 pre-hypertensive, overweight and/or pre-diabetic participants. Blood and urine biomarkers of antioxidant status were assessed at the beginning and end of the study.
The participants were split in two groups. One group was assigned a placebo, while the other took 350 mg/day of VinCare. The group taking VinCare showed a significant increase in HDL-cholesterol compared to the placebo group. The study also found that levels of 8-isoprastane, a marker for oxidative stress, and oxidized LDL, a risk factor for heart disease, fell for the group taking VinCare. The levels of 8-isoprastane and oxidized LDL increased for the placebo group.
Grapes and their corresponding extracts, with resveratrol, polyphenols, proanthocyanidins and flavonoids have been generally recognized as safe (GRAS) in the United States, this study demonstrates the affect of VinCare® on total cholesterol/HDL-C ratios, which were significantly improved for the extract group.
Ethical Naturals, Inc. (ENI) is a supplier of botanical ingredients to the United States and international supplement, beverage and food markets. All ingredients are validated through a quality assurance program. ENI also offers a range of standardized botanical extracts.