The scientific name of grapes is Vitis Vinifera. The grapes are native to the Mediterranean and Central Asia. Minor amounts of fruits and wine come from Asian and American species such as Vitis amurenis, the most important Asian species. People have cultivated grapes for thousands of years, including several ancient civilizations that revealed them for their use in winemaking. You may find them in various colors including red, green, yellow, black, and pink.
Color: Grapes are a type of fruit that grow in clusters of 15 to 300, and can be crimson, dark blue, green, yellow, pink, and orange.
Shape: Grapes typically resemble a prolate spheroid and have an ellipsoid shape. Grapes are like round to oval berries.
Size: Green seedless grapes are small to medium in size. Growing grapes are almost the size of a plum. Less fertile soil often produces smaller berries.
Flavor: The characteristic sensation of grapes is their sweet sour taste. There are 10,000 different wine grape varieties.
Nutrients
A grape is a fruit, botanically a berry. Grapes are a non-climacteric type of fruit. These are generally occurring in clusters or bunches. 100 gram of grapes contains the following amount of nutrients:
- Calories 67
- Total fat 0.4g
- Carbohydrate 17 g
- Dietary fiber 0.9 g
- Vitamin B6 5%
- Potassium 191 mg
- Sodium 2 mg
- Protein 0.6 g
- Iron 1% of the daily value
- Magnesium 1% of the daily value
- Riboflavin 8% of the daily value
- Vitamin K 18% of the daily value
| How to grow grapes? |
Health Benefits of Grapes
Grapes are a good source of vitamin K, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. They support bone health. Grapes are a low-calorie food that has anti-cancer effects. Grapes offer a wealth of health benefits due to their higher content of antioxidants and nutrients.
Grapes can be a healthy addition to your diet, people with diabetes should consume them in controlled portions to avoid blood sugar spikes. Consult a healthcare professional or dietitian for personalized advice.
Helps in reducing cholesterol
Certain compounds present in the grapes help to protect against high cholesterol levels by decreasing cholesterol absorption. A diet rich in resveratrol, an antioxidant has been shown to decrease the cholesterol level. Red grapes per day help to lower the LDL bad cholesterol while white grapes don’t have the same effect.
High in antioxidants
Anti-oxidants are the compounds that help repair the damage to your cells caused by free radicals that cause oxidative stress. Diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer are also associated with oxidative stress. Higher concentrations of antioxidants are found in the skin and seeds of grapes. The beneficial compounds remain stable even after the process of fermentation which is why wine is also an antioxidant source. Grapes also contain Vitamin C, lutein ellagic acid, and beta carotene which are also powerful antioxidants.
Lower blood pressure
Potassium helps lower blood pressure primarily by helping dilate your veins and arteries. It also helps to excrete sodium and prevent the narrowing of arteries and veins. One cup of grapes contains 6% of the daily value of potassium.
Benefits for eye health
Resveratrol protects retina cells in the human eye from ultraviolet A (UVA) light. This would lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration, a common eye disease. It may also safeguard against glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and cataracts. Plant compounds present in grapes may protect against common eye disease. Lutein and zeaxanthin are the anti-oxidants present in grapes and help maintain eye health, prevent common age-related eye diseases, and improve visual performance.
Protect Your Eyes from Diabetes
Grapes contain 23g of sugar per cup. Certain compounds present in grapes may help improve markers of insulin response. The compound present in grapes is resveratrol, which may improve your body’s ability to use insulin by protecting your pancreas beta cells which produce insulin, increase insulin sensitivity, improve insulin production, and increase the number of glucose receptors on cell membrane complications.
Improves the memory
Eating grapes may boost your memory and brain health. Studies show that drinking 7.8 ounces of grape juice improved both mood and speed of memory-related skills 20 minutes after consumption.
Support bone health
Grapes contain many minerals necessary for bone health including vitamins C, K, B, manganese,e, and potassium which help to protect against osteoporosis, a condition that leads to fragile bones. Resveratrol may improve bone density. It also slowed bone loss reducing the risk of major fractures and hip fractures.
May lower inflammation
Chronic inflammation plays an important role in the development of long-term conditions like heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, and auto-immune disorders. They have powerful anti-inflammatory properties. It also suppresses the expression of inflammatory markers like tumor necrosis.
Side Effects of Grapes
Some people are allergic to grapes and grape products. Some other side effects might include
- cough
- dry mouth
- headache
FAQ’s
which color grapes are the healthiest?
All grapes, including green, red, and black grapes, are healthy and nutritious. However, Black and Red grapes are actually the best choice when it comes to eating grapes for nutrition. Darker fruits tend to have more antioxidants.
Can we drink milk after eating grapes?
No, you should not drink milk after eating grapes. When eating grapes avoid milk within the same hour. The milk protein will solidify when it comes into contact with vitamin C and fruits causing gastrointestinal pain and diarrhea.
