Some research studies suggest that red and purple grape juices may provide some of the same heart benefits of red wine, although you do not gain the benefit of fermentation process. Red wine over white, is the richest source of resveratrol and other antioxidants because its production often involves fermenting all parts of the grape together, such as the skin, seeds, leaves and vines, which all contain resveratrol. But resveratrol can also be found in grape juice and there is some evidence that the antioxidants in grape juice are better absorbed by the body than those in alcohol. Grape juice made from red, purple, or other dark-skinned grapes contains the very same polyphenols as wine. But it’s almost impossible to tell how much resveratrol there is, for example, in a particular glass of wine or grape juice, and naturally occurring levels of resveratrol may be too low to have a pronounced effect on health, said Leonard Guarente, who studies the biology of aging at M.I.T.
What about SUGAR and CALORIES:
Grape juice has a much higher sugar content with 38 grams per 8 ounce serving versus 1 gram of the same serving of wine. Cancer cells love sugar. Tumor cells thrive in an acidic environment and sugar is highly acidic. Sugar also overwhelms the immune system by suppressing a key response known as phagocytosis. Consuming 10 teaspoons of sugar, about 38 grams, can cause about a 50% reduction in phagocytosis. In most people, when sugar in any form is consumed, the pancreas releases insulin. Breast tissue, for example, contains insulin receptors, and insulin is a powerful stimulant of cell growth. One group of Australian researchers concluded that high levels of insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) may actually be causative of cancers of the breast, prostate, endometrium and pancreas. A broad study conducted in 21 countries in Europe, North America and Asia concluded that sugar intake is a strong risk factor contributing to higher breast cancer rates, particularly in older women. A four year study at the National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection in the Netherlands compared 111 biliary tract cancer patients with 480 healthy controls. Sugar intake was associated with more than double the cancer risks.
Red wine has more calories than grape juice. As a result, an 8-ounce glass of red wine weighs in at about 200 calories, whereas a glass of grape juice only contains about 150 calories. But is there cancer risk associated with alcohol consumption? Some studies have associated wine consumption with an increased risk of breast cancer. That association, however, remains highly controversial, and further studies are needed to determine whether red wine can really increase breast cancer risk.
So if you are concerned about being healthy and choosing an option that is most beneficial to your health, perhaps you should consider drinking neither. If your optimum health is truly your inspiration, consider something like a certified organic acai juice. The dark purple berries of the Acai plant contain up to 33 times the antioxidant content as red wine grapes and is rich in vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, essential amino acids, protein and fiber.