Frequently Asked Questions
- What are muscadine grapes?
- Where do muscadine grapes grow?
- What is the difference between muscadine grapes and other grapes?
- Are muscadine grapes good for me?
- How do the health benefits of muscadine grapes compare with other grapes?
- What are antioxidants?
- What exactly is ellagic acid?
What are muscadine grapes?
Muscadine grapes, Vitis rotundifolia synonym Muscadinia rotundifolia, are native to the southeastern United States and have been cultivated for over 400 years. These grapes are truly America's native grape. The name muscadine usually refers to the purple varieties of the grape, but it technically includes all varieties. Some of the common names for the purple muscadines include bullace, bull grape, bullet grape, southern fox grape. The bronze-colored varieties are generally referred to as scuppernongs, although 'Scuppernong' is actually a specific variety of the bronze grapes.
Where do muscadine grapes grow?
Muscadines naturally grow throughout the southeastern United States over an area roughly extending from Delaware south along the Atlantic coast to central Florida, west along the Gulf of Mexico's coast to eastern Texas, north to Missouri along the Mississippi River, and east to Delaware, with the exclusion of the Appalachian Mountains. They can withstand winter temperatures of usually no less than -15o C (5o F).
What is the difference between muscadine grapes and other grapes?
Many of the common juice and table grapes include the European Vitis vinifera L. and the American Vitis labrusca, while the only common Muscadine species is Muscadinia rotundifolia. Unlike many vinifera grapes, muscadine grapes don't grow in true bunches. The sizes of most muscadine varieties grow to quarter size, and the skins tend to slip away from the pulp. Also, as with most varieties of vinifera grapes, muscadine grapes contain seeds.
Are muscadine grapes good for me?
Absolutely! Recent scientific analysis has revealed that muscadine grapes contain the highest levels of antioxidants and ellagic acid of any other fruit tested. Fresh muscadine grapes and many muscadine grape products provide many health benefits, such as:
- Antioxidants
- Ellagic acid
- Dietary Fiber
- No Saturated Fat
- No Cholesterol
Fresh muscadine grapes, muscadine grape juice, and our muscadine grape nutraceuticals help inhibit the growth of abnormal cells, help reduce muscle and joint pains, help promote cardiovascular health and a healthy digestive system, and help slow the aging process.+ + This statement has not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
+Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) is a test tube analysis that measures the total antioxidant power of foods and other chemical substances (mg/100g). Source: U.S.D.A. (1999).
*Source: The University of Georgia - College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences - Department of Food Science and Technology (2000).
++Ellagic Acid is a measure of the major phenolic acids and flavonoids content of samples (mg/100g). Source: Oregon Raspberry and Blackberry Commission (1996).
How do the health benefits of muscadine grapes compare with other grapes?
Recent research shows that muscadine grapes contain the highest levels of antioxidants and ellagic acid of any other fruit tested. Research conducted at the University of Georgia also shows that 100% purple muscadine grape juice contains five times more total antioxidants than other popular purple grape juices.
What are antioxidants?
Antioxidant is a classification of organic substances such as vitamin C, E, and A (converted from beta-carotene), and selenium that are found in many fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants protect the body from damage caused by oxygen free radicals and are considered to be effective in helping prevent abnormal cells and helping promote a healthy cardiovascular system.
What exactly is ellagic acid?
Ellagic acid is a substance found in the family of phenolic compounds that acts as flavorants, colorants, or antioxidants to influence the quality, acceptability, and stability of foods. This substance inhibits various hormone reactions and metabolic pathways associated with the development of abnormal cells.