Grape | Grapes | What are Grapes Fruit | Health Benefits of Grapes | Uses of Grapes | Nutritional Value of Grapes
A grape is the non-climacteric fruit, botanically a true berry, that grows on the perennial and deciduous woody vines of the genus Vitis. Grapes can be eaten raw or used for making jam, juice, jelly, vinegar, drugs, wine, grape seed extracts, raisins, and grape seed oil. Grapes are also used in some kinds of confectionery. A grape is sometimes used as the symbol of conscience.
Grapes are rich sources of vitamins A, C, B6 and folate in addition to essential minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium and selenium. Grapes contain flavonoids that are very powerful antioxidants, which can reduce the damage caused by free radicals and slacken ageing.
Grapes have vitamins, minerals, fiber and even proteins and could play an important role in ensuring a healthy and robust life.
Grape juice is a juice obtained from crushing grapes. The juice is often fermented and made into wine, brandy, or vinegar. In the wine industry, grape juice that contains 7-23 percent of pulp, skins, stems and seeds is often referred to as “must”.
History of Grapes:
Grape domestication originated in what is now southern Turkey. Yeast, one of the earliest domesticated microorganisms, occurs naturally on the skins of grapes, leading to the innovation of alcoholic drinks such as wine.
Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics show the cultivation of grapes, and the ancient Greeks, Phoenicians and |Romans also grew grapes for both eating and wine production. Later, the growing of grapes spread to Europe, North Africa, and eventually North America.
Native grapes belonging to the vitis genus proliferated in the wild across North America, and were a part of the diet of many North American first peoples, but were considered by European colonists to be unsuitable for wine.
The first Old World vitis vinifera grapes were cultivated in California where Spain had established a series of monasteries along the coasts to supply their navies with oranges to prevent scurvy and convert natives.
Health Benefits of Grape and Grape Juice:
* Asthma: Due to its eminent therapeutic value, grapes can be used for cure of asthma. In addition to it, the assimilatory power of grapes is also higher. It increases the moisture present in lungs.
* Heart diseases: Grapes increase the nitric oxide levels in the blood, which prevents blood clots thereby reducing the chances of heart attacks. In addition the antioxidant present in grapes prevents the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, which blocks the blood vessels.
* Migraine: Ripe grape juice is an important home remedy for curing migraine. It should be taken early in the morning, without mixing additional water.
* Constipation: Grapes are very effective in overcoming constipation. They are considered as a laxative food, as they contain organic acid, sugar and cellulose. They also relive chronic constipation by toning up intestine and stomach.
* Indigestion: Grapes play an important role in dyspepsia. They relive heat and cure indigestion and irritation of the stomach. They are also preferred as they constitute a light food.
* Fatigue: Light and white grape juice replenishes the iron content present in the body and prevents fatigue. Though, the dark grape juice might not give an iron boost and on the other hand, decrease the iron levels. Drinking grape juice also provides you with instant energy. The anti-oxidants present in grapes also provide the needed boost to your immune system.
* Kidney disorders: Grapes can substantially reduce the acidity of the uric acid and helps in the elimination of the acid from the system, thereby reducing the work pressure of kidneys.
* Breast cancer: Through a latest study, it has been discovered that purple colored 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 on the experimental basis.
* Alzheimer’s disease: Resveratrol, a beneficial polyphenol present in grapes reduces the levels of amyloidal-beta peptides in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Studies suggest that grapes can enhance brain health and stall the onset of neurodegenerative diseases.
* Macular degeneration: Grapes can prevent the age related loss of vision or macular degeneration. Three servings of grapes a day can reduce the risks of macular degeneration by over 36 %.
* Prevents cataract: Flavonoids present in grapes have antioxidants, which can reduce and fight the damage caused by free radicals such as cataract apart from cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and age related problems.
Nutritional Value of Grapes:
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 288 kJ (69 kcal) |
| Carbohydrates | 18.1 g |
| Sugars | 15.48 g |
| Dietary fiber | 0.9 g |
| Fat | 0.16 g |
| Protein | 0.72 g |
| Thiamine (Vit. B1) | 0.069 mg (5%) |
| Riboflavin (Vit. B2) | 0.07 mg (5%) |
| Niacin (Vit. B3) | 0.188 mg (1%) |
| Pantothenic acid (B5) | 0.05 mg (1%) |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.086 mg (7%) |
| Folate (Vit. B9) | 2 μg (1%) |
| Vitamin B12 | 0 μg (0%) |
| Vitamin C | 10.8 mg (18%) |
| Vitamin K | 22 μg (21%) |
| Calcium | 10 mg (1%) |
| Iron | 0.36 mg (3%) |
| Magnesium | 7 mg (2% |
| Manganese | 0.071 mg (4% |
| Phosphorus | 20 mg (3%) |
| Potassium | 191 mg (4%) |
| Sodium | 3.02 mg (0%) |
| Zinc | 0.07 mg (1%) |
* Blood cholesterol: Grapes contain a compound called pterostilbene, which has the capacity to bring down cholesterol level. Saponins present in grape skin can also prevent the absorption of cholesterol by binding with it.
* Antibacterial activity: Red grapes have strong antibacterial and antiviral properties and can protect you from infections. They have a strong antiviral property against poliovirus and herpes simplex virus.
* Anticancer properties: Grapes are found to have strong anti cancer properties due to the anti-inflammatory effect of resveratrol present in grapes. It is particularly effective in colorectal cancer and breast cancer. Anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins present in grapes have properties of an anti-proliferate and can inhibit the growth of cancer causing agents. Grape juice not just prevents the risk of cancer but also suppresses the growth and propagation of cancer cells. The pigments contained in grapes enhance the overall immunity of the body.
Thus, grapes play a pivotal role in preventing innumerable health disorders and can be used as home based remedies for several ailments.
Uses of Grapes:
Grapes are best eaten raw, but can also be consumed in some interesting forms and recipes like:
* Grapes are often used to manufacture jam, juice, jelly, vinegar, wine, grape seed extracts and grape seed oil
* Stewed and spiced grapes with poached chicken breast make for an ideal meal.
* Grapes may be added to any fruit salad. To enhance the visual effect of a salad, one can use different colours of grapes.
* The fruit can be added to any receipe to give the dish a fruity punch.
* Grapes can also be added to green salads, to enrich them nutritionally.
* They taste great when served with cheese as a snack.
* Grapes can be frozen to form a wonderful snack.
Wow. I didn’t know grapes could be used to prevent breast cancer.