As part of normal metabolism and environmental exposure, free radicals and oxidative stress ‘fans the fire’ of inflammation and age-related diseases.
Muscadine, the Superfruit of the South, is uniquely positioned to provide potent and broad-spectrum antioxidant protection.
Muscadine grapes evolved in an extreme, hot and humid climate, during which it developed an extra chromosome that gave the muscadine thicker skins and higher levels of protective antioxidant phytochemicals.
As a result, muscadine antioxidants are abundant in the fruit, and ingredients made from the entire fruit have shown very high antioxidant activity scores, using ORAC. Muscadine may provide a superior amount and diversity of antioxidants, compared to many other fruits.
Above: Muscadine contains more fiber, minerals and vitamins than red grape, and lower sugars and carbohydrates. Nutritional comparison of muscadine to red grape. (ref: USDA *45300522, RED SEEDLESS GRAPES)
Above: Antioxidant concentration of Muscadine versus red grape (units in ppm). Muscadine contains higher levels of several classes of antioxidant polyphenols, including resveratrol, catechins, OPC and other tannins.
● 40 times the antioxidant power of table grapes
● 6 times the resveratrol of table grapes
● The only grape with ellagic acid and ellagitannins
● Abundant levels of flavonoids, including quercetin
Muscadine “Super Grapes” may have a broad range of benefits due to their richness and diversity of polyphenol antioxidants, like resveratrol, oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC) and ellagitannins including ellagic acid.
These potent antioxidant compounds can reduce oxidative and physiological stress, and support the body’s resilience to inflammation and mental stress.
Muscadine is one of the few fruits found to exert a balancing (homeostatic) effect that starts on the mitochondrial level in your cells.
In particular, resveratrol, found in muscadine is known to reduce oxidative stress and stimulate mitochondrial function through SIRT1 (sirtuin) activity. (Sirtuins are proteins in cells that help to increase the longevity of mitochondria and cells, and increasing their levels in the body is thought to increase lifespan.)
Numerous studies suggest muscadine’s potential to support cellular function that can translate into benefits for cardiovascular health, brain function, digestion, immunity, men’s health and liver detoxification.
The antioxidants in muscadines are also studied to improve physical and cognitive performance in younger people. For example, muscadine antioxidants are associated with an improved rate of recovery from inflammation from physical exertion.
Recent research has shown that muscadines offer many compounds with proven benefits to protect cells and enhance healthy aging.