Grapes: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits

Grapes: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits
Think of fruits and you will surely not forget the small juicy berries!!! Yes, Grapes! Besides a mouth watering taste, grapes have phenomenal health benefits. Grapes have many important minerals and vitamins that are very good for an overall health development. Read on to know more.
Enlarge ImageGrapes are botanically called 'true berries'. A berry is a fruit that is produced chiefly from a single ovary. It contains no stones or pits, though one may find many seeds, like in tomatoes. Grapes are grown almost all year round. They grow on the woody vines of the genus 'Vitis'. 'Vines' is a term generally used for a climbing or trailing plant. Basically, Vitis is a botanical category of about 60 species of vining plants. Grapes often grow in a cluster of 6-300. They are generally, yellow, green, crimson, black, dark blue and pink in color. Grapes are grown in temperate zones. Temperate zones are the regions which are quite conducive for the growth of vegetation of any sort. They include Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, North and South America.

Today, the world's major consumption of grapes goes to the wine production industry. It is believed that the culture of wine making from grapes started way back, in the Egyptian and Roman civilizations. Grapes are consumed as a raw fruit and also used for making edibles such as jelly, jam, juices, vinegar, raisins and edible oil. Dried grapes are also called raisins, sultanas or currants.

Nutritional Value of Grapes
Like most berries, grapes have a lot of nutritive value as highlighted below:

Important vitamins such as vitamin A, B1, B2, B6 and C6 are found in grapes.
Grapes also contain acids such as tartaric acids, malic acids, succinic, fumaric, glyceric, p-coumaric and caffeic acids.
Beta-carotene, lycopene, ellagic acid, resveratrol and other sulphur compounds are found in grape skins.
Grapes have important anti-oxidants such as anthocyanins, flavones, geraniol, linalol, nerol and tannins.
Grapes contain all the necessary minerals such as calcium, chlorine, copper, fluorine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, silicon and sulfur.
Health Benefits of Grapes:
Potassium and sodium are important stimulators for the nervous system. Grape juice provides us with these necessary minerals.
Phosphorus helps in the formation of genes, as it is a part of nucleic acids; grapes are a good source of phosphorus.
Magnesium is also found in the grapes that helps in muscle contraction.
Grapes are one of those rare fruits which are completely cholesterol free. The most amazing fact about grapes is that it's quite a low calorie fruit - a cup of grape juice( about 92g) contains only 62g of calories and no cholesterol.
Grapes have small amounts of protein and dietary fibers that facilitates quick digestion.
Grapes contain vitamin K and vitamin E which helps in blood clotting and so grapes can be called as anti-coagulants.
The antioxidants such as anthocyanins, flavones, geraniol, linalol, nerol and tannins are the ones responsible for protecting the body against cancer.
Vitamin B helps in controlling metabolism rates and grapes are the best source for it.
Folate found in grapes is important during the pregnancy period.
Red grapes contain a compound called resveratrol, which helps control cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart attacks. In wines, we have resveratrol which has been found to control heart attacks. It is hence said that controlled consumption of red wine is good for your heart.
The dry forms of grapes contain large amounts of boron which is necessary for bones. It also helps fight tooth and gum decay.
Vitamin A together with flavonol compounds helps fight night blindness and other eye related problems.
Grape juice reduces fever. It also helps in fighting fatigue and provides energy to the body.
Acne and skin related problems are cured or decreased with grape juice consumption as it contains vitamin C.
Rheumatism, gout, asthma, etc. can be controlled and relieved using grapes, as they contain anti-inflammatory agents.
Grapes act as a good cleanser, thereby eliminating kidney stones and improving the flows of bile and urine
It's also effective on migraine and headache.
Its abundance in minerals helps to detoxify the liver and strengthens the digestive system.
The risk of atherosclerosis is lessened by including grapes in our diet.
Grapes increase the moisture in the lungs and help in subduing asthma.
A form of true berries, Concorde grape juice helps shrink mammary tumors
Resveratrol, an important constituent of red wines, helps in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Grapes help fight neurodegenerative diseases.
With so many benefits, it's hard to exclude grapes from our diet list. So the next time you visit a vendor, don't forget to pick up those small berries, ready to provide you some everlasting health and an admirably fit body. Not surprising, grapes are admirably honored as the 'Fruit of Gods' - truly indeed!!.