Currently you can choose between green grapes, red grapes, black grapes, yellow grapes, and pink grapes. The health benefits that result from consuming grapes are numerous, that’s why we have come up with a list of the amazing health benefits of grapes.
Grapes Can Prevent Chronic Diseases Due to Their High Antioxidant Compounds
Antioxidants are compounds contained in plants. Free radicals are harmful substances that damage the cells of your body leading to oxidative stress. Fortunately, the consumption of grapes helps fix these damages.
Furthermore, chronic disease such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease all result from oxidative stress[4].
Because grapes contain thousands of potent high antioxidant compounds which can fight many diseases, they can certainly be considered a ‘healing’ food.
According to researchers, the skin and seeds of grapes contain the highest number of antioxidants.
To get the maximum benefits of grapes, its preferable to eat red grapes since they have a high concentration of antioxidants.
Wine is a sub product of grapes that also contains high antioxidants. This is because grapes still maintain their antioxidants even after fermentation.
Researchers have proven that grapes can be used in the treatment of conditions such as heart disease, high blood sugar and cancer[1].
Grapes Fight Against Cancer
Grapes can protect the body against different forms of cancer due to their high level of beneficial plant compounds.
They consist of a powerful compound called resveratrol, which has been proven to prevent cancer and other diseases.
The cancer protecting compounds found in Grapes work like an antioxidant and they are helpful in decreasing inflammation and stopping the growth and spread of cells related to cancer.
Grapes have a distinct mixture of plant compounds that can help in the treatment of cancer. Some of these helpful compounds found in grapes which can fight against cancer include resveratrol, quercetin, anthocyanins, and catechins.
According to test-tube studies grape extracts can successfully treat colon cancer in humans[2]. As a result, grapes show great promise in this area.
It has also been proven that grape extracts can stop the spread of breast cancer cells in rats which means it has a high probability of working in humans[3].
Currently there aren’t enough studies that prove the effects of grapes on cancer, so there is need for more studies so that the risk of breast cancer can be reduced[4].
Grapes Decrease High Blood Sugar Levels Resulting from Diabetes
Grapes have high concentration of compounds which can lead to low blood sugar levels. A long study conducted on people who consumed grapes showed that those who consumed grapes witnessed reduced blood sugar levels, in contrast to those who did not consume grapes[5].
The resveratrol found in grapes can increase the activeness of insulin, thus enhancing the ability of the body to use glucose and lower blood sugar levels[6].
Additionally, resveratrol affects blood sugar by increasing the number of glucose receptors on cell membranes.
The consumption of grapes over the long run decreases blood sugar levels and reduces your risk of diabetes.
Final Thoughts: Grapes & Health
Eating grapes as part of a healthy & balanced diet will help to maintain good health. Fortunately, they’re readily available in most supermarkets.
Grapes also taste great and have a variety of uses making them one of nature’s most powerful foods. I eat them all the time because they’re delicious and healthy!
Sources & Additional Reading
1. Kuršvietienė, Lolita, et al. “Multiplicity of effects and health benefits of resveratrol.” Medicina 52.3 (2016): 148-155.
2. Valenzuela, Manuel, et al. “Autumn Royal and Ribier Grape Juice Extracts Reduced Viability and Metastatic Potential of Colon Cancer Cells.” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2018 (2018).
3. Dinicola, Simona, et al. “Grape seed extract suppresses MDA-MB231 breast cancer cell migration and invasion.” European journal of nutrition 53.2 (2014): 421-431.
4. Zhou, Kequan, and Julian J. Raffoul. “Potential anticancer properties of grape antioxidants.” Journal of oncology 2012 (2012).
5. Urquiaga, Inés, et al. “Wine grape pomace flour improves blood pressure, fasting glucose and protein damage in humans: a randomized controlled trial.” Biological research 48.1 (2015): 49.
6. Sin, Thomas K., Benjamin Y. Yung, and Parco M. Siu. “Modulation of SIRT1-Foxo1 signaling axis by resveratrol: implications in skeletal muscle aging and insulin resistance.” Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry 35.2 (2015): 541-552.
Rylie is freelance writer, fitness blogger, and travel junkie. Originally from Toronto, she currently resides in Lima, Peru but is always on the move to discover new adventures.