Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jan 23, 2026 1 hour, 44 minutes ago
Medical News: Ischemic heart disease, a condition caused by reduced blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart, remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Despite modern treatments, many patients continue to suffer long term heart damage due to ongoing inflammation and oxidative stress. New experimental research now suggests that grape pomace, a by-product of wine production, may offer significant protection to the heart through natural biological mechanisms.
Grape waste compounds were found to reduce heart inflammation and oxidative injury in experimental
ischemic heart disease
Researchers Explore Natural Heart Protection
The study was conducted by scientists from the Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Cluj Napoca Romania, the Research Station for Viticulture and Enology Blaj Romania, Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava Romania, the Clinical Emergency County Hospital Saint John the New Suceava Romania, the Niculae Stăncioiu Heart Institute Cluj Napoca Romania, and the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj Napoca Romania. The research focused on red and white grape pomace, which consists of grape skins, seeds, and stems left after wine making.
How The Study Was Conducted
Using an established laboratory model of ischemic heart injury, researchers induced heart damage in rats using a chemical that closely mimics heart attack conditions in humans. The animals were divided into several groups, including healthy controls, untreated heart injury models, animals treated with a standard heart medication, and animals given red or white grape pomace extracts before heart injury occurred. Heart electrical activity, blood inflammation markers, and oxidative stress indicators were carefully measured.
Red Grape Pomace Shows Strong Antioxidant Effects
The findings revealed that red grape pomace provided exceptional protection against oxidative stress. Oxidative stress causes damage to heart cells by generating harmful molecules that weaken cell membranes and disrupt electrical signaling. Animals treated with red grape pomace showed near normal levels of oxidative markers and preserved heart electrical signals, particularly the R wave amplitude, which is often reduced during heart attacks. This suggests red grape pomace helped maintain heart cell integrity and function.
White Grape Pomace Reduces Inflammation
White grape pomace demonstrated a different but equally important benefit. It significantly reduced inflammatory markers within heart tissue, including interleukin 6 and interleukin 1 beta. Excessive inflammation can worsen heart damage and delay healing after ischemic injury. By keeping inflammatory responses close to normal levels, white grape pomace appeared to limit tissue injury and promote a healthier cardiac environment.
Complementary Benefits Highlight New Possibilities
Interestingly, both grape pomace extracts performed as well as or better than the standard heart medication used in the study for certain measures. … this
">Medical News report highlights how red grape pomace primarily combats oxidative damage, while white grape pomace excels in controlling inflammation, suggesting their combined use may offer even stronger protection.
Conclusions And Future Implications
In conclusion, this study provides compelling evidence that grape pomace, long considered agricultural waste, may play a valuable role in protecting the heart from ischemic damage. Red grape pomace appears particularly effective at reducing oxidative stress and preserving heart electrical stability, while white grape pomace shows superior anti-inflammatory effects within cardiac tissue. Together, these complementary actions suggest strong potential for future cardiovascular therapies, although carefully designed human clinical studies will be required before any medical recommendations can be made.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Molecules
https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/2/383
For the latest on cardiovascular health, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/cardiology
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/herbs-and-phytochemicals
Share
Tweet
Share
