7 Health Benefits of Grapes, the Refreshing Summer Fruit

1. Grapes are rich in vitamins and minerals

Eating grapes enhances your daily diet with an array of vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C, B complex vitamins, folacin, niacin, and pantothenic acid. They also contain magnesium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc. Grapes provide dietary fibers vital for digestive health.

2. Grapes reduce the risk of heart diseases

Grapes are loaded with antioxidants, primarily resveratrol, found mainly in the grape skin. Numerous studies indicate that resveratrol offers significant nutritional and health benefits, helping prevent and reduce the risk of heart diseases, atherosclerosis, and hypertension.

3. Grapes help prevent cancer

Grapes contain antioxidants known as polyphenols, which help slow and prevent the development of various cancers, including lung, mouth, throat, esophagus, prostate, colon, and pancreatic cancers. Resveratrol has been found to inhibit tumor cell growth and even cause cell death. Additional studies suggest that resveratrol protects the skin from sun radiation, aiding in skin cancer prevention.

4. Grapes aid in weight loss

100 grams of grapes (25-30 units) contain only 60 calories and provide a feeling of fullness. A recent study in San Diego found that drinking green grape juice helps with weight loss due to the interaction between the chemicals in grapes and the body's insulin.

Research at the University of Georgia indicates that the antioxidant resveratrol assists in weight reduction.

5. Grapes are anti-inflammatory

Grapes contain numerous molecules that reduce the risk of internal inflammation. Consuming grapes prevents excessive production of enzymes that cause inflammations, such as Cyclooxygenase 1 and 2. Grapes also contain interleukin 1, interleukin 1 beta, interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and more that help the body during inflammation.

6. Grapes protect against diabetes

Moreover, grapes, despite their sugar content, protect the body against diabetes. The primary cause of diabetes is not sugar but fat. Grapes are known to reduce body fat and thus shield it from developing diabetes.

Three years ago, the BNJ medical journal published research proving that consuming a handful of grapes three times a day regularly helps reduce the risk of diabetes. 

7. Grapes improve cognitive abilities

Recent research found that daily consumption of grapes aids in improving memory among the elderly, due to various antioxidants. Additionally, these antioxidants help clean the blood vessel walls, allowing the body to efficiently and swiftly transport consumed food and eliminate waste effectively.