A juicy way to fight cancer, heart illness

Purple grape juice could help combat major illnesses such as heart disease and cancer, according to researchers.

A study at the Glasgow University measured levels of antioxidants -- chemicals that combat damage inside the body, in a range of popular juice drinks.

Purple grape juice had by far the highest levels and range of phenolic antioxidants, which are found in plants. The juice contained the same level of these compounds as are found in Beaujolais red wine.

Alan Crozier, professor of plant biochemistry and human nutrition, who headed the research team, recommended that people include a glass of such juices as part of the recommended five-a-day fruit and vegetable intake.

Antioxidants have been said to have a protective effect against heart disease, cancer, inflammation and even Alzheimer's disease.

A study in the United States suggested drinking three or more glasses of fruit juice a week could reduce the risk of Alzheimer's by 70 per cent. Prof Crozier said their study now pointed to which juices had the highest levels of antioxidants and so might be best for people's health.

Prof Crozier said it was clear that not all juices were the same and that drinking a variety of juices was the best way to optimise antioxidant intake.

"Dietary polyphenols through their antioxidant properties, and possibly other mechanisms, are believed to play a role in protecting against chronic diseases," he was quoted by the Scotsman, as saying.

"Research is being carried out to find out why they have this effect, but I would recommend having a glass of juice a day as part of your regular intake of fruit and vegetables," she added.

Bridget Aisbitt, a nutrition scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation, said analysing antioxidant levels in the lab was different from measuring their effects in the body.

"The problem is that we don't know what happens when they enter the body and are dissolved," she said, adding, "Obviously, eating a lot of fruit and vegetables has been shown to be good for your health, but it is not known for sure which compounds are responsible for this effect. That said, it is good to include fruit juice as part of your five-a-day fruit and vegetable intake."