“Table Fruit” IMPROVES Gut Health

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted February 28, 2022

Dear Living Well Daily Reader,

I’ve seen some pretty bizarre studies come across my desk, and it’s taught me one thing: always read the fine print.

You see, studies are usually sponsored by someone—after all, those microscopes and lab coats are costly!

And sometimes, that sponsorship can pressure the researchers to find more “favorable results” than the actual science points to.

This latest study is no different.

But buried behind the flashy claims about lowering cholesterol (you know how I feel about that), I found something even better.

This “table fruit” can actually IMPROVE your gut health.

So why wasn’t THAT the headline?

The California Table Grape Commission sponsored a new study which showed that eating grapes can help lower cholesterol.

At first glance, it looks like the typical study: a special interest group has funded a topic that mainstream medicine will fawn over. Cholesterol will cause a scare that will send the sales of grapes (and probably statin drugs too) to SKYROCKET.

But before we throw this study out like a bunch of moldy raisins, let’s take a closer look.

You see, the more important finding in the study (to me) showed that grapes can dramatically increase the diversity of gut bacteria.

As you might imagine, any ecosystem (like the ocean, or forest, or desert) benefits from a variety of organisms. This means if anything attacks the ecosystem, like a drought or a flood, then the ecosystem can bounce back because it has more “choices.”

Your gut is also an ecosystem, so the more diversity, the better.

In the study, the researchers found that a certain bacteria called Akkermansia multiplied when study participants ate grapes. Akkermansia has been shown in other studies to be good for blood sugar… and cholesterol metabolism.

The researchers also found that participants in the grape group reduced their total cholesterol by 6.1 percent and LDL their cholesterol by 5.9 percent.

Here’s the problem: the participants in this study didn’t eat grapes. Instead, they ate a powdered version of grapes that was equivalent of 1.5 cups of fresh grapes a day.

And what do you find in both powdered grapes and fresh grapes? Polyphenols.

Polyphenols are a miraculous natural compound that can do everything from help prevent stroke to improve your vision.

You have to get A LOT of fresh grapes to get the benefit of polyphenols. While eating 1.5 cups of grapes is not that hard, anyone would get tired of having to do it every single day.

It’s much better to find a concentrated form of polyphenols. I take a powdered polyphenol mixture every day, just to make sure I’m getting enough of those phytochemicals. You can find a similar product online right here.

Sure, it won’t make the California Table Grape Commission any money, but it’s the much better choice for your health.

P.S. Did you know that having a healthy gut could boost your immune system? Read more right here.

SOURCE:

California Table Grape Commission. “Grape consumption benefits gut microbiome and cholesterol metabolism.” 11/10/21. EurekAlert!. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/934537

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

View More By Dr. Scott Olson, ND