Grape Consumption Linked with Overall Healthier Dietary Patterns

A recent observational study links consumption of grape products, including raisins and 100 percent grape juice, with healthier dietary patterns and improved nutrient intakes among adults and children living in the United States.

Published in the Journal of Food Science, the researchers analyzed the diets of more than 21,800 children and adults using data from the 2003-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

In doing so, they found that consumers of grapes and grape products had increased intakes of total and whole fruit, as well as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, dietary fiber, calcium, magnesium and potassium versus non-consumers.

Dietary fiber, calcium and potassium are especially important as most Americans are currently not getting enough of these essential nutrients in their daily diets, the researchers report.

In adults, grape and grape product consumers also showed increased intakes of vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds along with lower intakes of added sugars, total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol when compared to those who steered away from the fruit in its varying forms.

"It is interesting to note that not only did grape consumers have increased intakes of healthy foods, and critical vitamins and minerals, but grape consumers also ate less of unhealthy foods, specifically solid fat and added sugars," said lead author Carla McGill.

According to McGill and her team, this new study complements an extensive body of research supporting the role grapes, raisins and 100 percent grape juice can play in a healthy lifestyle.

"It reinforces the association between grapes and a healthier diet, which is good news for consumers," said Jean-Mari Peltier, Executive Director of the National Grape and Wine Initiative (NGWI). "Grapes, raisins and 100% grape juice are all foods that people enjoy eating, and this information adds another dimension to the grape and health story."