Delano, Calif., June 14, 2010—While fresh grapes are known to contain at least 500 different phytonutrient antioxidants, Pandol Bros. Inc. wants consumers to learn more about the powerful antioxidant resveratrol that is found naturally in the skin of each and every grape.
This summer Pandol Bros. will be reaching out to consumers and the industry and sharing results of published medical studies that strongly point to potential healthy effects of resveratrol. This will include Pandol collaborating with retail partners, dieticians and food editors.
“Although it’s been established that grapes contain a nutritional payload, this includes a unique phytonutrient antioxidant resveratrol and we believe the emerging research about its potential beneficial effects will be helpful to consumers and also support retailers.” says Tristan Kieva, the company’s director of marketing and business development. She continues, “Resveratrol has been shown to be a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent and has the potential to positively impact a variety of health issues.”
Resveratrol has been recognized as the key to the French paradox in which the French, despite a diet high in fat, suffer from less heart disease when compared to other populations. They also drink much more red wine than other populations and subsequent research identified resveratrol in grape skins as playing a crucial role in protecting the heart.
The company’s campaign has received guidance from Dr. Stephen Pandol, MD, a member of this four-generation farming family and a professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Although Dr. Pandol chose not to assume a role in the family farms, he holds a strong appreciation for the role of food in our overall health. This interest led him to a career in medicine and medical research and specifically to the field of gastroenterology.
Kieva continues, “We are fortunate to benefit from the expertise of Dr. Pandol, who has shared with us published research conducted by others and is helping to bring it to a consumer level of understanding.”
Overall, grapes pack such a punch of antioxidants they are second only to pomegranates and ahead of blueberries. Eating a bunch of grapes provides much of the same benefit from resveratrol, with its highest concentration in the skin, as found in red wine and without the risks of alcohol. Pandol Bros. is excited about getting this information to consumers.
Kieva cites surveys that a growing number of consumers regularly read ingredient labels for nutritional information and are increasingly interested in purchasing foods with recognized health benefits. The company sees an opportunity to leverage the positive information emerging about resveratrol and results of other studies suggesting potential anti-cancer, anti-aging, anti-viral and other protective effects. They note research has not been limited to red grapes as many studies used a blend of regular green, red and black table grapes. These results are instigating a more rigorous evaluation of resveratrol’s therapeutic potential.
“While grapes continue to be a highly popular and convenient snack item, as consumers learn more about resveratrol, we see its potential to create more demand across the category,” Kieva summarizes.
Source: Pandol Bros. Inc.
