Grapes Have Long Been Hailed As The “Food Of The Gods” …

They contain powerful antioxidants that protect your health

Grapes, or Vitis vinifera, has a scientific name that translates to “the vine that bears wine.” The vine produces berries that are either green (also known as “white”) or red.

There are seed and seedless grape varieties, but grape seeds are edible and full of nutrients. Grape juice, pulp, skin, and seeds can be used for various preparations.

The health benefits of grapes

Grapes and various grape products are rich in healthy antioxidants. Antioxidants are enzymes and nutrients that help prevent oxidation. This means antioxidants can neutralize free radicals, which are highly reactive ions or molecules in the human body. Antioxidants donate electrons or modulate enzymes that metabolize free radicals.

Free radicals are naturally produced via metabolism due to normal physiological functions, such as a defense mechanism against pathogens. However, free radicals can sometimes be produced in excess, which means they can negatively affect DNA, lipids, and proteins and cause different diseases.

Grapes also have polyphenols, and these phytochemicals are the best source of dietary antioxidants. Polyphenols offer various health benefits. The bulk of phenolic compounds in grapes can be found in the skin of the berry, and the content will often increase as the fruit ripens.

Red wine and grapes are full of flavonoids (e.g., anthocyanins and catechins), phenolic acids (e.g., caffeic acid and coumaric acid), and stilbenes (e.g., resveratrol). However, red grapes contain more phenolic compounds than red wine grapes.

 Data from animal studies concerning phytochemicals have revealed that anthocyanins can help prevent oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is often the first sign of various chronic conditions, like cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.

Grape seeds are also full of proanthocyanidins, a class of nutrients that belong to the flavonoid family. Proanthocyanidins, which are also called condensed tannins, are polymers or naturally occurring large molecules. These polymers are made of building blocks known as flavan-3-ol monomers. Grape seed extract is sold as a nutritional supplement.  (MORE)