With so many types of grapes there is always at least one you could have daily. The flavors are slightly different, yet grapes are delicious no matter which grape you choose. Grapes are one of those fruits that offer a huge wealth of nutrition and antioxidant amounts. Grapes can be eaten in salads and also eaten plain. Grapes can be frozen and used as ice cubes in lemonade or water.
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Grapes are also known to be the go to snack for picnics, for lunch boxes, or sitting and watching movies. However, grapes have also been used for medicinal purposes throughout history. Grapes have a huge range of benefits to help keep you and your body healthy and happier.
We all know that a diet that is rich in vegetables, fruits and high protein meats can help prevent obesity, helps reduce the risk of some diseases, and grapes are even a good choice for diabetics. Just be sure to account for the grapes in the menu.
Health benefits gained from eating grapes.
- Loaded with many nutrients and Vitamins, especially Vitamin C and K. In a one cup serving, grapes will give more than 25% of the recommended daily requirement for Vitamin K. Vitamin K is beneficial to healthy bones and blood clotting ability. Vitamin C helps connective tissue, and is a powerful antioxidant.
- Grapes are an excellent source of Potassium. Potassium is beneficial for maintaining a fluid balance in your body, and also helps to lower blood pressure, which can help to reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease.
- Grapes contain Polyphenols. Polyphenols are antioxidants that help in fighting inflammation. Another antioxidant in grapes is called resveratrol. This antioxidant is found in the skin of the Red grapes. Studies have shown that Resveratrol is helpful in fighting the growth of tumors, skin cancer and leukemia.
- The high antioxidant amount also helps to fight chronic issues also. Antioxidants also help to fight the free radicals that cause damage to cells, and they work to repair damage done to those cells. Antioxidants are found in high amounts in the skin and seeds of the grapes.
- Containing a high level of plant compounds, grapes can help fight off certain types of cancers. Grape extract has been shown to block the growth and lower the spread of colon cancer cells.
In some research studies done, it was shown that eating one pound of grapes a day decreased the colon cancer marks. However, not everyone can eat a pound of grapes a day. Diabetes can prevent that due to the natural sugars in grapes.
- Grape seeds are also rich in Vitamin E. Vitamin is highly beneficial to hair growth, shine and smooth, hydrated skin. Some other compounds found in grapes can help prevent acne, and provide blood flow to the scalp for healthier hair.
- Grapes contain fiber and water. Both of which will help to prevent constipation. The water in grapes helps a body to stay hydrated and keep the bowel movements regular.
- Eating grapes can help people to lose weight. Grapes are obviously one of those healthier snacks. Grapes will also help you to stay full longer, which eliminates the desire to grab more snacks or food. Grapes contain a natural compound that appears to make it harder for your cells to store fat.
- Grapes can help to alleviate symptoms of allergies. Due to the antioxidant compounds, the anti-inflammatory effects of quercetin, some research shows that it may help runny noses, hives and watery eyes.
- When it comes to diabetes, grapes can be a beneficial help. Many studies have shown that grapes can reduce the risk of Type II diabetes. Although there is a relatively high level of sugar in grapes, it is also known that grapes have the fiber, vitamins and the minerals will make them a healthy option for a diabetic diet.
- The resveratrol found in grapes may protect against diabetic neuropathy, which is the issue that affects the nerve function. Many Scientists believe that this is due to the neuroprotective effects of the compound.
During animal studies and research, it is believed that resveratrol can also help protect against retinopathy, which has a severe impact on sight and vision. The issues of retinopathy and neuropathy happen when diabetes is poorly controlled.
- It is also believed that resveratrol may also help with Alzheimers, osteoarthritis, blood sugar control and in boosting the immune system.
- Eating grapes has been shown to possibly help to lower the cholesterol levels in people. When eating grapes as part of a healthy diet, grapes can reduce cholesterol absorption.
- In a couple of studies, grapes may help benefit your brain health, improve memory and attention.
- Grapes also contain nutrients that may help with bone health. Calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus, along with manganese are nutrients vital to good bone health. Studies showed that there was improvement in absorption by the bones for calcium and potassium. Further studies are necessary to focus on these benefits for humans.
- There are numerous nutrients and compounds found in grapes that have been able to help fight and protect against bacterial and viral infections. In test tube studies, grapes were shown to stop the chicken pox, herpes and yeast infections from spreading. Grape skin extract has been shown to stop the flu virus, in test tube studies.
- All the plant compounds found in grapes can help fight aging and promote a longer life. The resveratrol stimulates the proteins called Sirtuins.
More Benefits
When you bite into a cold grape, it is refreshing, cold and delicious. Eating grapes is very healthy for everyone. Grapes also become raisins over time. However, eating a raisin contains much more sugar than a grape. Although raisins are a healthy fruit, eating them as grapes is much healthier. You can also eat more grapes than you can eat raisins if you are diabetic.
Grapes are easy to add to any meal. They are a part of your breakfast by making smoothies, or slicing and adding to cereals. Eating just one bunch of grapes can help you to stay full longer.
Having grapes with a salad is an easy and delicious way of incorporating them into your lunch break. Grapes can be placed on pizza and there are hundreds of recipes that will include grapes in a hot meal when cooking.
You can use grapes to make sorbet, you can peel them and make frozen grapes. You can use grapes to make jams and jellies.
Why would people not incorporate grapes into their daily meals? Grapes help every part of the body from the brain to the heart, the skin to the bones, the hair to the digestive tract. There are many superfoods available in our world today, grapes have been around for thousands of years.
It has been used for medicinal purposes. However, over time the most popular form of using grapes includes making wine. Starting thousands of years ago, wine was made because the water was not always safe to drink.
Wild Rice with Roasted Grapes and Walnuts
This is a dish that is considered a vegan dish. However, the wild rice dish would be suitable as a side for any main course. This one is a unique recipe that should be tried by everyone. It is healthy and tasty and not even that difficult to make.
Not only does this make a great side dish for any main course, it makes the perfect meal by itself. Let me warn you now, if you have never had roasted grapes before, this is very likely going to become your newest favorite meal.
This is a healthy meal for everyone. It would work for diabetics, those who are trying earnestly to lose weight and those who just love Wild Rice. The grapes are incorporated in, which helps prevent people getting tired of eating grapes.
Grapes are no different than other foods, once you eat too many, people tend to avoid eating them completely. With all the nutrition and benefits that grapes have, it is foolish not to find ways to add them to your foods all day long.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups red seedless grapes
- 1 shallot, sliced thin
- ½ cup walnuts
- 1 cup wild rice, cooked according to package directions
- 1 tbsp, plus 2 tsp Olive Oil, divided
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
- Optional salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 400*
- Place the grapes and the sliced shallot in a bowl and toss with 2 tsp Olive Oil
- Place on a cookie tray lined with parchment paper
- Roast for 20 minutes, in the preheated oven
- Place the roasted grapes and shallot into a large bowl
- Add in the rice, walnuts, remaining Olive oil, sage and the red wine vinegar
- Gently toss, so you do not rupture the grapes
- Season with salt and pepper to taste if you choose.