Grape Juice

    Researchedby:
    Kamal Patel
    Last Updated: October 13, 2024

    Plain old grape juice isn't as popular as fermented grape juice (aka wine). However, grape juice does contain potentially beneficial phytochemicals. Grape juice has been tested in a small number of trials for outcomes including endurance exercise capacity, antioxidant potential, and memory.

    Summary

    How does grape juice compare to wine or grapes, for health benefits?

    There haven't been trials directly comparing wine to grape juice (outside of studies in animals such as hamsters[1]), so the comparitive benefits are theoretical. Grape juice is different enough from grapes, due to lack of fiber and consequent effects on gut bacteria and other factors, that the results of whole grape trials aren't transferable to grape juice.

    Wine contains alcohol (duh!), and alcohol in moderate amounts may help relax blood vessels and increase HDL.[2] Wine also has higher amounts of certain phytochemicals than grape juice does, but similar amounts of other ones.

    It doesn't appear that grape juice reduces blood sugar, insulin, blood pressure, or improved lipids. However, one study that used a highly concentrated juice was more likely to find benefits, so perhaps it's a dosing issue. There are a variety of studies, largely sponsored by a large juice company, that have explored other areas of health, and the results are so far inconclusive.

    It's important to note that there are very very few trials on grape juice, compared to on wine. So the reliability of the total body of evidence is somewhat low.

    How does grape juice compare to wine, for health DETRIMENTS?

    Grape juice doesn't contain alcohol. Consuming alcohol in moderate amounts can turn into consuming alcohol in large amounts, whether chronically or even on occasion.

    Even in moderate amounts over time, alcohol may not be that healthy. Some researchers believe the evidence for benefits is mixed enough, and potential detriment large enough, that health benefits should not be trumpeted.[3][4]

    Grape juice however, and fruit juices in general, are linked to tooth erosion and dental carries.[5] However, the trials on this typically use conditions that don't fully reflect real-life juice drinking. Grape juice in amounts that are clinically effective may also contribute excessive calories into your diet, as juices are much easier to consume than whole fruits.[6]

    What type of grape juice is used in clinical trials?

    Often but not always purple grape juice, at 100% purity (in other words, not mixed fruit juice, or sugar-added juice). Occasionally, white grape juice is used.

    How does grape juice compared to other fruit juices for health benefits?

    In general, sufficient trials haven't been conducted which compare different fruit juices against each other. There are a limited number of studies, such as one finding no difference between grape juice and apple juice[7] and one finding benefits of grape juice over orange or grapefruit juice[8]. But these were for highly specific outcomes rather than practical health benefits. Much more research is needed. We'd love to know how juices compare, but the financial incentive isn't there for companies to fund studies pitting juices against each other.

    All that being said, grape juice doesn't appear to help memory and cognition quite like blueberry juice can. Unfortunately for the consumer, blueberry juice is much more expensive than grape juice.

    What are other names for Grape Juice

    Grape Juice should not be confused with:
    • wine
    • resveratrol
    • grape sugar

    Dosage information

    First, make sure you use 100% grape juice, rather than a juice with added sugar or other juices mixed in.

    There are relatively few trials on grape juice, so the "best" dose isn't yet determined. Commonly used doses varied from around 16-24 ounces of juice a day.

    References

    1. ^Vinson JA, Teufel K, Wu NRed wine, dealcoholized red wine, and especially grape juice, inhibit atherosclerosis in a hamster modelAtherosclerosis.(2001 May)
    2. ^De Oliveira E Silva ER, Foster D, McGee Harper M, Seidman CE, Smith JD, Breslow JL, Brinton EAAlcohol consumption raises HDL cholesterol levels by increasing the transport rate of apolipoproteins A-I and A-IICirculation.(2000 Nov 7)
    3. ^Meister KA, Whelan EM, Kava RThe health effects of moderate alcohol intake in humans: an epidemiologic reviewCrit Rev Clin Lab Sci.(2000 Jun)
    4. ^Burton R, Sheron NNo level of alcohol consumption improves healthLancet.(2018 Sep 22)
    5. ^Liska D, Kelley M, Mah E100% Fruit Juice and Dental Health: A Systematic Review of the LiteratureFront Public Health.(2019 Jul 12)
    6. ^Flood-Obbagy JE, Rolls BJThe effect of fruit in different forms on energy intake and satiety at a mealAppetite.(2009 Apr)
    7. ^Blair CK, Kelly AS, Steinberger J, Eberly LE, Napurski C, Robien K, Neglia JP, Mulrooney DA, Ross JAFeasibility and preliminary efficacy of the effects of flavanoid-rich purple grape juice on the vascular health of childhood cancer survivors: a randomized, controlled crossover trialPediatr Blood Cancer.(2014 Dec)
    8. ^Keevil JG, Osman HE, Reed JD, Folts JDGrape juice, but not orange juice or grapefruit juice, inhibits human platelet aggregationJ Nutr.(2000 Jan)