Studies have long suggested that drinking red wine has heart-health benefits. For those who want to reap those benefits but avoid the consumption of alcohol, a new study says drinking Concord grape juice may be equally effective.

The study, published in the January 2007 issue of Cardiovascular Research, found that Concord grape juice worked in a similar fashion to red wine to promote healthy arterial function.

Concord purple grapes stimulate the production of nitric oxide in endothelial cells and produce a vasorelaxation effect. Nitric oxide is important to the body for maintaining healthy, flexible blood vessels and supports healthy blood pressure. The beneficial effects of Concord grape juice were observed in arteries of the heart. These effects, produced by stimulating chemical reactions in the arteries, are the same as those activated by red wine. Apparently, it’s a component of the grapes and not the alcohol that produces the heart health benefits.

So, break open a bottle of Concord grape juice and drink to your health!