Purple grape juice is the drink that provides energy, combats tiredness and improves physical performance. What has been reported emerges from scientific research published in the European Journal of Nutrition by a Brazilian team (Toscano et al, Eur J Nutr, 2020).
Grape juice to combat fatigue, the study
The study involved 14 adults, average age 40 years. The volunteers were divided into two groups. The first group was asked to drink two glasses of purple grape juice while the second group drank a placebo. All the volunteers then underwent an endurance test in which they were asked to run at a certain pace. The test was considered finished when the volunteers were no longer able to sustain this pace. Well, those who drank the grape juice showed greater endurance and better performance than those who took the placebo, running an average of ten minutes longer, which is a truly significant amount of time. So, a single dose of grape juice made it possible to make the muscles and body more resistant to fatigue.
Explanation of what was observed
Today's study, although small, showed that a single dose of grape juice improves performance and makes the body and muscles more resistant to effort. The effect is to be found in a dual action. On the one hand, grape juice provides carbohydrates, and therefore energy, on the other, it provides antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances, allowing the muscles to function better and longer. In fact, physical effort causes an increase in free radicals, which cause pain in the muscles and hinder muscle contraction. By supplying the body with antioxidants through grape juice, however, this event can be delayed, thus increasing resistance and counteracting tiredness. Not only that, grape polyphenols stimulate blood circulation, thus improving the supply of oxygen to the tissues.
Conclusions
Now that it's the season, let's not miss out on grapes, preferably purple, and their juice! Grapes and grape juice provide precious antioxidants, help the body feel less tired and be more resistant to effort, supply energy and counteract free radical damage and inflammation. Added to this are the properties of grapes shown by other studies, such as the ability to protect the brain, keep blood pressure and cholesterol under control.
