8 Reasons Why You should Eat Grapes

Grapes contain fiber, protein, copper, potassium, iron, folate and vitamins C, A, K and B2. They are also high in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties as well as phytonutrients, especially phenols and polyphenols. Grapes also have high water content and are good for hydration.

As well as being tasty, grapes are a storehouse of numerous health benefits, from helping prevent cancer to treating constipation and poor eyesight.



Grapes, like a few other fruits, can be consumed either fresh or frozen. They should be removed from the refrigerator 30 minutes before eating to bring them to an ideal temperature of about 60ºF.

Here are a 8 reasons why you should eat grapes

1. Improves Cardiovascular Health
Eating grapes or drinking red wine regularly offer many cardiovascular benefits like reducing the risk of blood clots, preventing damage to blood vessels in your heart and helping maintain a healthy blood pressure.

In fact, due to their high potassium content, those with high blood pressure can eat grapes to help negate the effects of sodium in the body.
According to a 2009 study published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, mild to moderate drinking of red wine made of high quality grapes reduces the risk of cardiovascular problems. Resveratrol and proanthocyanidin are the major compounds present in grapes and red wine that offer cardiovascular benefits.
In addition, the anti-inflammatory properties in grapes prevent chronic inflammation and lowers the risk of atherosclerosis and other conditions.

2. Improves Eyesight
Grapes protect the eyes’ photoreceptors and help prevent macular degeneration and other eye-related diseases.
According to a 2014 study by the University of Miami’s Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, grapes help protect the retina from deterioration and ensure proper eye care. In fact, retinal or macular degenerative disease is one of the leading causes of blindness among seniors.

Moreover, their anti-inflammatory property helps reduce inflammatory protein levels and increases the number of protective proteins in the retina.
Eat grapes or grape juice on a regular basis to protect the retina from deterioration and enjoy good eyesight for years.

3. Sustained energy
Grapes are one of the purest forms of helping to improve energy levels and sustain them throughout the day. Whenever I eat a meal of grapes, my attention is clearly focused and I feel like I can achieve a million tasks at once. I like to refer to grapes as little mini rocket fuel balls – they contain the perfect balance of water and sugar and are a great afternoon pick-me-up!

4. Prevents Breast cancer
In a recent study, it has been discovered that purple, Concord grape juice helps in preventing breast cancer. Significant reduction in mammary tumor mass of laboratory rats was seen after they were fed the grape juice in an experimental setting. The antioxidants in grapes are beneficial in the prevention of all types of cancer, but there are some fascinating studies which specifically show grape juice as an effective preventive measure against breast cancer. Certain chemicals in grapes compete for binding sites, and inhibits aromatase from changing androgen to estrogen, which is thought to be a big contributing factor to breast cancer growth in women.

5. Boost Immune System
Grapes are not only packed with flavonoids and minerals, but vitamins as well! The high levels of Vitamin C, K, and A in grapes gives you a healthy boost to many of your organ systems, particularly your immune system, which means less chance of coming down with common colds, as well as more serious health issues.

6. Prevents constipation
Grapes and grape juice are widely recommended for those who suffer from constipation. Not only they are loaded with fibre that facilitates good bowel movements but also improves digestive health by boosting the production of digestive enzymes. Read about some other home remedies for constipation.


7. Boosts Brain Power

Grapes are also good for your cognitive health. Eating them regularly can improve memory power and prevent age-related memory decline. The resveratrol in grapes increases blood flow to the brain and improves mental responses. Grapes can even delay the onset of degenerative neural diseases like dementia.


8. Fights Fatigue
Grapes make an ideal snack for fighting fatigue and improving your energy level. They are loaded with high quality vitamins as well as magnesium, phosphorus, iron and copper. All these nutrients work together to boost your immune system, provide energy and fight symptoms of fatigue.

Moreover, by eating grapes you can keep your iron and mineral levels balanced. Also, the carbohydrate content in grapes helps keep the muscular and nervous systems working well.

Just one handful of grapes or ½ glass of grape juice can give you instant energy and make you feel less fatigued. However, dark grapes may not provide the iron boost required to fight fatigue. Light-colored and white grapes are best for combating fatigue.

Tips For Selection And Storage

Selection

The quality of a product is pivotal if you are looking at reaping the maximum benefits from it. As far as grapes are concerned, always choose those fruits that are plump, unblemished, evenly colored, and firmly attached to the stem. The best way to ensure that you are buying fresh grapes is to hold the bunch by its stem and shake them. If the grapes fall from the stem, it means they have been stored for a long time and should not be eaten. Bunches are held together if the stem is green.

Green or white grapes are the sweetest if they have a yellowish color with a tinge of amber while red grapes should be deeply colored with no green areas. Sometimes, grapes have a white coating on their surface. This coating, known as bloom, is a harmless, natural substance that provides protection against loss of moisture, fungus, and decay.

Avoid grapes with soft or wrinkled skin or stems that are brown or brittle. This might be a sign of freezing or drying. Grapes with bleached areas around the stem or leaking berries should also be avoided as they indicate poor quality or decay.

Storage

Proper storage of grapes is also a prerequisite for keeping the fruits fresh and avoiding any injury or decay. Unwashed grapes should be kept in a plastic bag or an airtight container, and stored in the coolest part of the refrigerator. Grapes can be stored for a week.