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| |  Study Reveals New Antioxidant; More Potent than C, E and Beta-Carotene NEW ORLEANS, April 8, 1997 -- A new super antioxidant has been discovered inside the seeds of the increasingly astounding red grape – whose wine, juice, skin, and now seeds may offer significant protection against certain types of cancer, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cataracts and many other chronic and degenerative diseases. In a new study to be released April 9, researchers at Creighton University in Omaha say that a compound extracted from the seeds of red grapes called Activin(TM) is a powerful new super antioxidant. The research tested the ability of Activin to neutralize and inhibit the damage caused by free radicals in the brains and livers of mice, then compared the effects of the new compound to those of vitamins E, C and beta-carotene. "Our studies show that Activin is a more potent antitioxidant than vitamins C, E and beta-carotene -- up to seven times more potent," said Dr. Debasis Bagchi, lead researcher of the Creighton team, who announced the findings at the Experimental Biology conference in New Orleans. "Activin is a powerful inhibitor of free radical-induced lipid peroxidation and DNA fragmentation," stated Bagchi. "This is significant “Our findings may also explain why red wine is more beneficial than white in preventing heart disease," Bagchi added, "since red wine is fermented with the seeds while white wine is not." This most recent discovery of significant antioxidant benefits of Activin adds to the growing reputation of the red grape as a healthful food. It follows on the heels of recent findings about the role of red grape juice in reducing blood clots and preventing heart disease and the study earlier this year of the cancer-fighting properties of Resveratrol, a compound extracted from red grape skins. All these studies, in turn, were inspired by the French Paradox -- the seemingly contradictory finding that the French have a lower Scientists believe that the generous consumption of red wine among the French at least partially accounts for the lower rate of heart disease, since the biologically active flavonoids in the wine reduce blood platelet aggregation. "The beneficial effects of Activin appear to be due to its high flavonoid content," explained Bagchi. "The highest concentration of flavonoids in red grapes is in the seeds." According to InterHealth Nutritionals, a company that produces the grape seed extract, Activin is a nutritional ingredient, not a drug, and is currently available in a variety of dietary supplements at drug and health food stores.
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