Study in British Journal of Nutrition Links Concord Grape Juice to Memory Benefits

CONCORD, Mass., Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The first of the Baby Boomer Generation is turning 65 next year.  The number of older Americans is on the rise(1) as is the need to address age related health issues.  Research published in the March issue of the prestigious British Journal of Nutrition has shown that Concord grape juice may help support healthy brain function in certain population groups, especially older adults with early memory decline.  Data from the double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot investigation led by Dr. Robert Krikorian, (Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine) suggested that drinking Concord grape juice was beneficial with respect to memory function.

In this investigation, 12 older adults with early memory decline were randomly assigned to consume either 100% Concord grape juice or a calorie-matched placebo beverage for 12 weeks.  Each subject was assessed with measures of verbal and spatial memory before and after the intervention.  While there were no statistical differences between the groups at baseline, following the treatment, those consuming Concord grape juice demonstrated significant improvement in list learning (p= 0.04) and trends suggested improved list retention (p= 0.10) and spatial memory (p= 0.12).  

"Dr. Krikorian's study is exciting and supports what preliminary research has previously suggested about Concord grape juice; what is good for the heart may also be good for the mind," comments Casey Lewis, MS, RD, Welch's Health and Nutrition Manager.  "Increasingly, we are turning to foods and beverages for their inherent health benefits.  More than a decade of research supports Concord grape juice's role in cardiovascular health and it is exciting to see this emerging evidence suggesting the power of Concord grape juice in the maintenance of cognitive health."

Krikorian reported, "Our preliminary findings suggest that supplementing the diet with Concord grape juice may provide benefit for older adults with early memory changes." He added, "While further study is warranted to assess the potential of Concord grape juice to forestall progression of age-related memory decline, these results are very encouraging."

These data also were presented on December 8th, 2009 at the 4th International Conference on Polyphenols and Health in Harrogate, United Kingdom.

To access the full manuscript please visit: http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?aid=6906504.

About Welch's

Headquartered in Concord, Massachusetts, Welch's is the processing and marketing subsidiary of the National Grape Cooperative.  Welch's is owned by nearly 1,200 family-farmers across America and in Ontario, Canada, who make up this cooperative, and who are responsible for growing the Concord and Niagara grapes which are pressed to produce Welch's juices and other grape-based products.  At the heart of Welch's is the delicious and inherently healthy Concord grape, and the family-farmer owners who grow it.  Welch's Concord grapes are pressed, including the skin and seeds, within 8 hours of being harvested to capture the grapes' natural antioxidant power, and to ensure a premium quality product.  Welch's 100% Grape Juice made from Concord grapes helps promote a healthy heart and arteries and maintain a healthy immune system.  Welch's is committed to research and development which will meet the growing demand for products that address consumers' health and nutrition needs.  Welch's products are sold throughout the United States and in approximately 50 countries around the globe.  For more information, visit http://www.welchs.com/healthprofessionals.aspx.

(1) U.S. Census Bureau - Population Division. Table 3.  Percent Distribution of the Projected Population by Selected Age Groups and Sex for the United States: 2010 to 2050 (NP2008-T3). National Population Projections Released 2008.  http://www.census.gov/population/www/projections/summarytables.html. Last updated: Aug 14, 2008. (Accessed: Jan 11, 2010).

SOURCE Welch's