So many things are said about the health values of red wine. But what about just plain grape juice?

I just read recently that grapes (as well as some other citrus fruits) are good for cleaning out the intestinal tract of mucus coatings that are created over the years. So, in that case, raisins would be good too. I don't know any more about grapes than that. Hopefully one of the others can pass along more information.

Time magazine recently listed red wine as one of the 10 Healthiest foods, but in the excerpt below it states it gets it healthy properties from the grape skins. http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101020121/food.html

Red Wine

By Janice M. Horowitz
How is it that the French can eat a diet rich in cheese and buttery sauces and still suffer less heart disease than Americans? The answer to the famous French paradox, say nutritionists, is French wine. The skins of the grapes used to make red wine contain supercharged antioxidants known as polyphenols, including one called resveratrol, which boosts HDL cholesterol (the good kind). Polyphenols, according to the latest research, may also inhibit the production of endothelin 1, a peptide that contributes to hardening of the arteries. But be careful. Wine may be great for the heart, but it's been blamed for everything from cirrhosis of the liver to hemorrhagic stroke, fetal-alcohol syndrome and possibly breast cancer, so consumption should be limited to no more than several glasses a week.

A grape juice like Welch's would be comparable. But not Kool-aid,etc...

Trader Joe's grape juice is unmatched so far. I used to think Welch's was the best... it's not. They dilute it with water so it has that clear look, but trader joe's grape juice is all natural, not diluted so you get all the skin of the grape. Its great.

I don't necassarily think Welch's is the best. It's mostly what's available around here. There is organic stuff at specialty stores, but it's $9 a bottle.