Grape powder lowers serum triglycerides in postmenopausal women

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if consuming dehydrated grape powder can alter cardiovascular disease markers in healthy postmenopausal women. Methods: Dehydrated grape powder (10 g/day) was administered to healthy postmenopausal women for a period of 21 days. Study subjects consumed a standard American diet; none had diabetes or were taking hormone replacement therapy. Blood was tested for triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-I and apolipoprotein B, C-reactive protein, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Urine was tested for F₂-isoprostanes to gauge free radical damage. Results: In support of the study hypothesis, triglycerides (P=0.005) and the ratio of TC:HDL cholesterol declined (P=0.038). Neither isoprostanes nor ORAC changed significantly. Conclusions: Grape powder may improve the lipid profile of postmenopausal women. Grape powder did not change inflammation markers.