Grapes are cultivated in many regions throughout the world, and most are utilized for winemaking. In recent years, global wine production has stabilized, but consumption in Asian markets continues to gradually increase with population growth and disposable income. Despite continued high production, utilization of grape pomace is not well established. In the grape-producing district of Nagano Prefecture, Japan, about 570 tons of grape pomace is generated annually, only part of which is utilized

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... s animal feed and compost. Most of the pomace is dumped as waste. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the useful components of grape pomace that can be effectively utilized in the future. Our research group and others have shown that oral administration of grape indicates antioxidant activity of lowdensity lipoprotein and amelioration of cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion-induced neuronal damage. 1,2 Epidemiological studies have also linked moderate wine consumption to a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease as part of the explanation of the so-called French paradox. 3,4 It is known that grapes include many polyphenols (anthocyanins, resveratrol, catechin, tannin, and others) and many of the beneficial health effects of grapes are attributed to these compounds. Anthocyanins are a group of naturally occurring phenolic compounds that are responsible for the coloration of fruits and vegetables. They have many beneficial effects on human health, including reduced incidence of coronary heart disease, enhancement of visual acuity, maintenance of normal vascular activity, as well as anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative properties. 5,6 Recent studies in animals also suggest that anthocyanins can reduce body weight and fat mass. [7] [9] However, the antiobesity effects of anthocyanins are not fully understood.