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Audio:
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Text of the Dr.
Freedman/Circulation Video News Release |
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VO:
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Drinking purple
grape juice may contribute to healthy cardiovascular function in at
least two related ways, report Georgetown University researchers in
the most recent issue of Circulation. |
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VO:
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Their study
showed for the first time that drinking grape juice not only appears
to promote important biological functions like proper blood
clotting, but it also appears to increase levels of valuable
antioxidants in the body. Dr. Jane Freedman of Georgetown University
explains. |
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Dr. Freedman:
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Previous studies
have shown that drinking purple grape juice may have beneficial
effects. This current study gives us a better understanding of the
possible mechanisms for some of these effects. |
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VO:
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Subjects drank
purple grape juice for 14 days. Afterwards, plasma levels of vitamin
E increased 13% and total antioxidant capacity increased by 50%.
Nitric oxide production by their platelets was increased by 70%. |
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Dr. Freedman:
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In this study we
found several interesting things. First, we found a direct
biological effect from drinking purple grape juice, namely the
inhibition of platelets, or the cells that cause clots. And
secondly, we found a very new finding, which was an increase in the
antioxidant levels in the blood of these same individuals. Both of
these effects are likely due to the flavonoids contained in purple
grape juice. |
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VO: |
This is Barry
Douglas reporting. |
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