What is useful about grapes — 10 scientifically proven properties

Grape berries contain many substances valuable to humans and are widely used in cooking, as well as in folk and evidence-based medicine.

Berries are usually consumed fresh in the form, and are also used to make wine, jam, grape juice, jelly, raisins and vinegar. Grape seed extract and oil are made from grape seeds.

Scientists confirm many useful properties of grapes, known since ancient times. When taken regularly, it lowers blood pressure and prevents the development of atherosclerosis, prevents the appearance of diabetes and osteoporosis, strengthens the immune system, and improves eye and brain health.

10 useful properties

Below are 10 theses on the benefits of grapes for our health, which are confirmed by modern scientific research.

1. A rich source of valuable substances

Grapes have a low calorie content (about 69 per 100 grams) and contain the following biologically active substances per 100 grams:

As you can see, grapes are rich in vitamins and minerals that are important for our body.

But its main advantage is the content of a large amount of antioxidants, especially resveratrol. Per 1 gram of fresh grape peel I have to from 50 to 100 mcg of resveratrol. As you know , resveratrol prevents the risk of developing cancer and a number of chronic diseases.

2. Antioxidant effect

Antioxidants are special compounds that reduce the effects of free radicals on all cells of the body, inhibit oxidative stress.

It is oxidative stress linked with the development of malignant tumors and diseases such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus.

In the composition of grapes available over 1,600 different antioxidant substances. Their highest concentration is found in the bones and skin of fruits.

The most valuable antioxidant is resveratrol. Scientists associate its use with reduction in the incidence of myocardial infarction, type II diabetes mellitus and malignant neoplasms.

Grapes are also rich in quercetin, beta-carotene, vitamin C, lycopene, ellagic acid and lutein, which are also powerful antioxidants that protect the body's cells from free radicals.

3. Anti-cancer effect

As already mentioned, grape fruits are rich in resveratrol. According to the data of Polish studies, resveratrol blocks the division and growth of malignant cells, as well as tumor metastasis.

The second most important antioxidant in grapes is quercetin. Scientists claim that quercetin is also able to slow down the division of cancer cells.

Currently proven ( 1 , 2 ) the direct effectiveness of grapes in relation to the malignant degeneration of cells of the following organs:

• Mammary glands;
• Of the large intestine;
• Rectum;
• Uterus;
• Ovaries.

4. Maintaining the health of the heart and blood vessels

Eating grapes is associated with a complex of benefits for the cardiovascular system.

So, it contains a tangible amount of potassium (5% of the daily value per 100 grams).

Potassium causes relaxation of the smooth muscles of the arterial walls, followed by a drop in peripheral vascular resistance and a decrease in blood pressure. This, in turn, prevents the development of hypertension.

According to the data experts from the USA, sufficient potassium levels in the diet also significantly reduces the risk of developing heart diseases (coronary heart disease, chronic and acute heart failure) and death from them.

In addition, grapes prevent the deposition of atherosclerotic plaques in the walls of arteries, which reduces the risk of pathologies such as chronic cerebral ischemia, myocardial infarction, stroke, renal artery stenosis with the development of renal failure, etc. The basis of this effect is lies Grape ability reduce the level of total cholesterol , as well as its atherogenic fractions (LDL, VLDL, TAG).

Employees of the University of Connecticut (USA) identified that grapes not only lower cholesterol (by slowing its absorption from the intestine), but also protect the walls of the arteries from plaque formation.

5. Reduces blood sugar levels

Grapes are a dietary product with a low glycemic index (about 53). This means that it does not cause a rapid rise in blood glucose after consumption and can be used in the diet of people with type II diabetes mellitus.

According to research data conducted in South American countries, grapes (when consumed for 16 weeks) cause a decrease in fasting glucose levels (by 16%), and also have a beneficial effect on the lipid profile.

Scientists claim that resveratrol, which is present in the skin of the plant, increases the sensitivity of peripheral tissues (muscle and fat) to insulin, which causes rapid utilization of glucose by cells and a decrease in its concentration in the blood.

Thus, grapes affect the key factor in the development of type II diabetes mellitus – insulin resistance, and therefore can be used for its treatment. This information lead scientists from China.

6. Maintaining eye health

Experiments on rodents demonstrate that grapes protect retinal cells from any changes, and also reduce the activity of involutive age-related processes.

Resveratrol, in turn, possesses the following advantages:

• Protection of the visual organs from ultraviolet radiation;
• Prevention of macular degeneration;
• Reducing the risk of glaucoma and cataracts;
• Prevention of eye damage in diabetes mellitus or hypertension.

7. Improving brain function

Italian scientists installed that when eating grapes for 3 months, it is significantly Improves memory and attention in the elderly, and also helps to increase the tone of the speech muscles after a stroke.

Also proven what grapes are capable of Boost your mood and speed up the execution of any mental operations related to counting or memorizing information.

Scientists from the USA emphasize that grapes increase the intensity blood flow in the vessels of the brain and prevents the development of many neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's disease, Pick's disease, Parkinson's disease).

8. Increasing bone strength

Grapes contains a number of minerals necessary to maintain bone mineral density: phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, vitamin K, potassium.

These minerals normalize metabolism, preventing the early development of osteoporosis.

Resveratrol plays an equally important role. How show experiments on rodents, resveratrol Increases bone mineral density and prevents the appearance of pathological fractures.

Scientists from the USA proved that grapes increase the rate of calcium uptake by bone tissue from the blood, which has a positive effect on bone metabolism, as well as on their strength.

Grapes are especially important for older age groups, as well as for post-menopausal women. In these categories of persons, there is a physiological decrease in the concentration of minerals in bone tissue and the risk of pathological fractures increases significantly.

9. Increased immunity and antimicrobial action

Scientists from Portugal claim that there are compounds in the pulp of grape fruits that inhibit the vital activity of viruses, bacteria and fungi.

It is highly effective against the influenza virus, herpes and chickenpox.

Grapes contain large amounts of vitamin C. Proven that vitamin C accelerates the proliferation of T- and B-link cells, as well as stimulates the work of components of the immune system with macrophage activity.

10. Recommended for pregnant women

Grapes recommended include in the diet of women during pregnancy, as it provides the fetal body with a number of vitamins necessary for the full development of all organs and contributes to the prevention of infectious complications.

The berry also improves blood flow in the mother-placenta-fetus system and increases the effectiveness of the mother's immune system.

But during lactation, on the contrary, grapes can be dangerous. It negatively affects the functioning of the child's digestive system, causing irritation of the mucous membranes and the appearance of flatulence.

Safety and contraindications

Grapes, in some cases, can be harmful to the body. The main contraindications include:

1. Taking beta blockers. Grapes increases the concentration of potassium in the blood , as well as drugs from the group of beta-adrenergic receptor blockers. Hyperkalemia can lead to seizures or cardiac arrest.
2. Taking blood thinning medications. Vitamin K and Resveratrol increase blood viscosity and can significantly reduce the pharmacological effect of anticoagulants, disaggregants, thrombolytics, as well as provoke the appearance of thrombotic or thromboembolic complications.
3. Caries. In the presence of defects in the enamel of teeth, it is better to abandon the use of grapes, since it increases the activity of the pathological process.
4. Hypersensitivity. In the presence of allergic reactions to grapes in the anamnesis, it is necessary to abandon its use.

Be careful! Unripe grapes can irritate the mucous membranes of the stomach and duodenum. It is allowed to eat unripe fruits only in small amounts (up to 50 grams at a time) together with other types of food.

Which variety is the most useful?

All grape varieties contain an almost similar set of biologically active substances (vitamins and minerals), the only difference is the concentration of anthocyanins (resveratrol).

The darker the color of the fruits (red, blue and black grape varieties), the more resveratrol they contain and the more pronounced their effectiveness in preventing cancer and diseases from the cardiovascular and endocrine systems.

The most useful varieties are: veles, Jupiter, Isabella.

Green and white grape varieties contain fewer antioxidants.

Varieties with bones should also be preferred, as they contain a huge amount of vitamins A, E and K.

How to use it correctly?

The most useful way to eat grapes is in their raw form. This option allows you to save the maximum amount of biologically active substances.

The maximum daily allowance is up to 300 grams, during pregnancy – up to 200 grams.

Eating grapes in the morning (on an empty stomach) should be avoided due to the possible irritating effect on the mucous membranes. You should also give it up at least 1 hour before bedtime.

Grapes go well with dairy products, as well as various fruits and berries.

You can cook a lot of dishes based on it. Among the most common are:

1. Raisins. Contains almost the entire set of vitamins and minerals, amount of fiber and the energy value is much higher. It is not recommended for use by people with obesity and diabetes mellitus.
2. Compote. The concentration of biologically active substances is much lower, and antioxidants are almost completely absent.
3. Juice. The most useful option. It is recommended to drink freshly squeezed grape juice. Storage in metal containers is not allowed.
4. Wine. It is useful for the cardiovascular system (especially red). The maximum daily dose is 50-70 ml.
5. Tea made from leaves. is perfect for older people as a substitute for wine. It is rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Grape tea should be brewed for no more than 5 minutes, the water temperature is 85-90 degrees.
6. Application of bones. Grape seeds are rich in vitamins (A, E and K), minerals and antioxidants (resveratrol is much more). They are usually used for Enhance immunity , relief of cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes mellitus, as well as allergic reactions. It is advisable to crush or grind the seeds before use.

Conclusion

1. Grapes are rich in vitamins, macro and microelements, antioxidant substances that have a positive effect on the work of all organs.
2. It reduces the risk of developing cancer, cardiovascular and endocrine diseases, improves the health of the visual organs and musculoskeletal system, strengthens the immune system.
3. Due to the possibility of side effects, it is necessary to correctly approach the inclusion of berries in the diet.