Health Benefits of Grapes

The health benefits of grapes include its ablity to treat constipation, indigestion, fatigue, kidney disorders, macular degeneration and prevention of cataract. Grapes, one of the most delicious fruits, are rich sources of vitamins A, C, B6 and folate in addition to essential minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium and selenium. Grapes contain flavonoids that are very powerful antioxidants, which can reduce the damage caused by free radicals and slacken ageing.

Grapes, owing to their high nutrient content, play an important role in ensuring a healthy and robust life.

Benefits: Some of the health benefits of grapes include the following:

Asthma: Due to its eminent therapeutic value, grapes can be used for cure of asthma. In addition to it, the assimilatory power of grapes is also higher. It increases the moisture present in lungs.

Heart diseases: Grapes increase the nitric oxide levels in the blood, which prevents blood clots thereby reducing the chances of heart attacks. In addition the antioxidant present in grapes prevents the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, which blocks the blood vessels.

Migraine: Ripe grape juice is an important home remedy for curing migraine. It should be taken early in the morning, without mixing additional water.

Constipation: Grapes are very effective in overcoming constipation. They are considered as a laxative food, as they contain organic acid, sugar and cellulose. They also relieve chronic constipation by toning up intestine and stomach.

Indigestion: Grapes play an important role in dyspepsia. They relieve heat and cure indigestion and irritation of the stomach. They are also preferred as they constitute a light food.

Fatigue: Light and white grape juice replenishes the iron content present in the body and prevents fatigue.

Though, the dark grape juice might not give an iron boost and on the other hand, decrease the iron levels.

Drinking grape juice also provides you with instant energy. The anti-oxidants present in grapes also provide the needed boost to your immune system.

Kidney disorders: Grapes can substantially reduce the acidity of the uric acid and helps in the elimination of the acid from the system, thereby reducing the work pressure of kidneys.

Breast cancer: Through a latest study, it has been discovered that purple colored Concord grape juice helps in preventing breast cancer. Significant reduction in mammary tumor mass of laboratory rats was seen after they were fed the grape juice on the experimental basis.

Alzheimer’s disease: Resveratrol, a beneficial polyphenol present in grapes reduces the levels of amyloidal-beta peptides in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Studies suggest that grapes can enhance brain health and stall the onset of neurodegenerative diseases.

Macular degeneration: Grapes can prevent the age related loss of vision or macular degeneration. Three servings of grapes a day can reduce the risks of macular degeneration by over 36 %.

Prevents cataract: Flavonoids present in grapes have antioxidants, which can reduce and fight the damage caused by free radicals such as cataract apart from cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and age related problems.

Blood cholesterol: Grapes contain a compound called pterostilbene, which has the capacity to bring down cholesterol level. Saponins present in grape skin can also prevent the absorption of cholesterol by binding with it.

Antibacterial activity: Red grapes have strong antibacterial and antiviral properties and can protect you from infections. They have a strong antiviral property against poliovirus and herpes simplex virus.

Anticancer properties: Grapes are found to have strong anti cancer properties due to the anti-inflammatory effect of resveratrol present in grapes. It is particularly effective in colorectal cancer and breast cancer. Anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins present in grapes have properties of an anti-proliferate and can inhibit the growth of cancer causing agents. Grape juice not just prevents the risk of cancer but also suppresses the growth and propagation of cancer cells. The pigments contained in grapes enhance the overall immunity of the body.

Thus, grapes play a pivotal role in preventing innumerable health disorders and can be used as home based remedies for several ailments. Dried grapes, known as raisins, are extremely nutritious and help in many disorders including constipation, acidosis, anemia, fever, sexual weakness and help in gaining weight and eye care.

Why Are Grapes Good For You

Grapes are very popular as snack fruits especially due to their tart flavor, crisp texture, refreshing moisture and attractive color. It’s difficult to resist a luscious bunch of grapes placed in front of you and the good news is that these fruits are packed with essential nutrients and are almost medicinal due to various health benefits they provide. In this article we will look at the why are grapes are good for you.
Grapes are Good Sources of Vitamins

There are various types of grapes available, varying in color and taste. There are black, purple, green as well as pink colored grapes in existence. Irrespective of the type of grape you eat, you can be assured that they are choke full of essential vitamins like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B and Folate. A four Oz serving of grapes can contain anywhere close to 20-25% of your daily required serving of Vitamin C.

Grapes are Rich in Essential Minerals

One reason why grapes are good for your health and should be a part of your daily diet is due to the various minerals your body can derive from these fruits. The most significant minerals present in grapes are Manganese and Potassium. These minerals are essential to maintain good blood health, reduce the risk of hypertension, help with depression and improve immunity.

Other minerals found in grapes are Copper, Zinc, Calcium, Phosphorous, Iron and Selenium.

Grapes are Good for Your Heart Health

The most crucial benefit you derive from eating grapes is production of anti-oxidants in your body. Grapes are rich in antioxidants due to the presence of phytonutrients called polyphenols. These antioxidants bind with the “free radicals” present in your body and reduce the risk of plague formation on the arteries, thus improving your heart’s health.

Grapes also help in the generation of nitric oxide in the body. This compound helps improve heart health by reducing blood clots, platelet aggregation and oxidation of LDL (which causes plagues on the arteries).

Resveratrol, a compound found in grape skins and seed, keeps the heart muscles flexible and healthy. The reason why “red wines” have gained popularity is because of their high concentration of Resveratrol. The French who eat a high fat diet have been found to have low heart disease stats, a phenomenon known as the “French Paradox, which is largely owning to their consumption of red wine and grapes.

Grapes also contain a glucose based compound called Saponin which helps reduce the absorption of cholesterol and settles down inflammation path ways thus reducing the risk of heart diseases. So grapes are definitely good for the heart.

Grapes Help Prevent Cancer Formation

Thanks to presence of antioxidant compounds in grapes, it helps bind free radicals in the body. These free radicals or “oxidants” are responsible for instigating cancer formation in various organs of the body. It has been studied that drinking red wine can reduce the risk of lung cancer by 13%, owing to high concentration of antioxidants like resveratrol. You can get the same benefit from eating purple grapes on daily basis, if you don’t want to drink red wine.

Drinking a couple of glasses of grape juice (made from purple grapes, especially the Concord) helps reduce the risk of colon cancer and breast cancer. The various compounds present in grapes helps reduce inflammation in the body and provide beneficial anti-oxidative effect.
Grapes Aid the Digestive System Due to their Anti-microbial Properties

It has been found the grapes have several anti-microbial properties but they are not harmful to the beneficial bacteria in the stomach. Tests have shown that grape extracts inhibited the growth of 14 different types of harmful bacteria commonly found in human intestine and stomach including E coli, Salmonella and H. pylori (which causes stomach ulcers).

In conclusion, grapes not only make for a tasty snack but are very benefitial to the human body. If you have been wondering how or why are grapes good for you, the various benefits listed in this article should give you an insight into the ample advantages of eating this fruit. You can consume grapes as fresh fruit, in the form of red wine, grape juice or even as a dry fruit, to accrue its benefits.

Goodness of grapes

Can you ever get too much of a good thing? When it comes to grapes, the answer is “no.” With thousands of varieties to choose from, it’s easy to find the right kind for any application. And in addition to their many varieties and uses, grapes are healthy, too. Whether enjoyed as an on-the-go snack or used as a flavorful ingredient in food, grapes offer something good for everyone.
Berry goodness

Grapes — which are actually berries — grow in bunches, either as small shrubs or winding vines, in temperate climates throughout the world. The varieties are separated into color categories, including white (or green) and black (or red and blue-black), and by application. You find table grapes, such as Thompson seedless, stocked in the produce section; vintners make wine from wine grapes, such as cabernet; and processors use commercial grapes for food, such as juices, jams and jellies, which incorporate concord grapes, or Muscat grapes, which are dried to create raisins.

The flavors vary as well. Wine grapes, for example, have a high acidity, which makes them too tart for eating. And table grapes, where the converse is true, would make a dull-tasting wine.
The “goods” in grapes

Grapes are a naturally nutritious, low-calorie fruit, made of about 80% water, and are a good source of potassium. They contain vitamins A, B1, B2 and C. Rich in pure glucose, or “grape sugar,” they are immensely energizing. Raisins are only about 15% water, but have higher iron and fiber contents.

A number of additional health benefits stem from grapes. The fruits contain phytonutrients, active substances that are believed to protect the body from certain cancers and heart disease. The phytonutrients in grapes are called phenolic compounds, and include quercetin, anthocyanin, catechin and resveratrol. These compounds, of which wine is a major source, also exhibit antioxidant properties.

Resveratrol is found primarily in the skin of grapes, and is touted as a potential anticancer and heart-healthy compound. Studies show that, in humans, resveratrol has anti-infective, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Additional research suggests that the compound helps battle cancer in its various stages, from initiation to promotion to progression.

Studies propose that eating resveratrol-rich foods may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, lower total cholesterol and lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. The compound’s antioxidant properties may also play a part in slowing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.

Because resveratrol is water- and fat-soluble, it lends itself to a variety of applications. It’s believed to improve circulation, promote healing and help prevent wrinkles. The antioxidant properties of grapes also have been shown to strengthen blood vessels, boost immunity and inhibit allergies.

Researchers suspect that resveratrol is partially responsible for the cholesterol-lowering effects of red wine; however, there are many other phenolic phytochemicals found in wine that are present at much higher levels. These are called flavonoids, and include anthocyanins, catechins, procyanidins and tannins. Most are antioxidants and promote cardiovascular health. Antioxidant compounds in purple grape juice appear to offer similar benefits to those in red wine, without the alcoholic effects.
Extracting uses

At the center of the grape lie the seeds, from which come grape-seed extract and grape-seed oil. The extract is made from seeds left over from the production of wine or juice that are harvested, ground and extracted. They have a high content of compounds known as oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs). Found in virtually all plants, OPCs are considered nontoxic, nonmutagenic, noncarcinogenic, and free of side effects.


Grape seed has become a popular way for people to increase their intake of antioxidants. It is also a dietary source of essential fatty acids and tocopherols. Grape seed is believed to improve circulation (and help reduce conditions such as varicose veins, bruising, swelling, and decreased vision), and to improve skin tone and elasticity. Different formulations of grape seed are available for internal (oral) and external (topical) use.

Grape-seed oil, also from grape seeds, is used for salad dressings, cooking and frying. It can have a light, grapey flavor; a subtle, buttery flavor; or little to no flavor; and imparts no aftertaste. Because of its high smoke point, the oil is very stable and does not smoke, burn or splatter like most other cooking oils. It is rich in linoleic acid, vitamin E and proanthrocyanidins. It also retains many of the healthful properties of grapes, including cholesterol-lowering effects, such as raising HDL (good) cholesterol and lowering LDL cholesterol.

Grape color extract is used as a color additive in many applications, including confections, fruit bases, fruit fillings, sauces and sorbets. Extracting pigments from Concord grape juice or wine sediments, which remain after fermentation and aging, produces the extract. The reddish color is usually obtained from Concord grapes, which have a darker, blue-black color.
Grapes grow on

As the nation continues to fight the battle of the bulge, consumers and food formulators will continue to look for foods and ingredients that taste good and do good. Perhaps grapes — in their many varieties and forms — will find their way into more applications for consumers to enjoy.

Consider raisins. Not only a convenient and healthy snack, they are also being made into healthy ingredients. Raisin paste, for example, is useful in bakery, confectionery, dairy and cereal applications, as a partial fat replacer. It has a sweet taste and a dark color, enabling it to color sauces and beverages. It also makes a good humectant, and can increase shelf life in various products.

And so long as grapes continue to grow, it’s likely that a whole bunch of new uses will emerge for consumers and formulators to enjoy.

Side Effects of Grape Seed Extract

Grape seed extract is a rich source of antioxidants, and is an important constituent of many drugs. Does it have any side-effects? Read on to know..

Grape seed extract is rich in polyphenols which is a kind of antioxidant. Antioxidants are substances in the human body that help in suppressing the oxidation in human cells. Human cells use oxygen for some life-supporting chemical reactions. Free radicals are the by-products of this oxidation process. Excessive production of free radicals can be a cause of several diseases like diabetes, heart ailments and cancer. Antioxidants act as scavengers for free radicals and thus prevent internal damages to the human body or repair any damages that may have occurred.

Grape seed extract is made from seeds of grapes and is available in the form of tablets. It helps in the prevention and treatment of many diseases like varicose veins and atherosclerosis, diabetes and complications related to diabetes like diabetic retinopathy, improve night vision in case of night blindness, cancer, improves blood circulation, cirrhosis, enhances bone density, candida yeast infections, etc.

Grape Seed Extract Side Effects


The benefits of grape seed extract are extensive. However, there are a few side effects which can be categorized as minor and major. These are as follows:

Minor Side Effects

Although there are a number of benefits, grape seed extract has a few side effects. Some of these are headaches, itchy dry scalp, sore throat, abdominal pain, nausea, cough and dizziness. These side effects are minor and easily curable, but it is advisable to consult a doctor before taking any supplements that contain grape seed extract.

Major Side Effects

One of the serious side effects is bleeding. Internal and external bleeding, both are ascertained to be side effects of grape seed extract. Cuts and bruises with prolonged bleeding are observed in some cases. Internal bleeding includes symptoms like tarry stools, bright red blood in stools and vomiting blood.
Internal bleeding also includes hemorrhagic stroke which is bursting of blood vessels inside the brain. The blood clot irritates the tissues of brain and causes swelling. The symptoms of hemorrhagic stroke are unconsciousness, coma, difficulty in swallowing, headache, loss of coordination and nausea.
Allergic side effects are also observed, and it includes hives, itching, rash, swelling of lips and difficulty in breathing.
Nursing women, must consult their gynecologist before taking supplements having grape seed extract as the ingredient. Grape seed extract can be harmful for pregnant women and women who are trying to conceive. In fact, the use of herbal supplements has no medical recommendation. This is because, grape seed extract is a herbal medicine and herbal medicines are not standardized.
Grape seed extract reacts with other drugs, like medicines for blood thinning and anti-platelet drugs. Some pain-relieving drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen, and prescription drugs like methotrexate, cholesterol-lowering drugs and angiotensin also react with it. It interacts with the other herbs like garlic and Ginkgo biloba.