Who would have thought that delicious grapes could have so many health benefits???
Grapes are rich in lots of important nutrients. Just 1 cup (151 grams) of red or green grapes provides 104 Calories, 27 grams carbs, 1 gram protein, .2 fat grams, 1.4 grams fibre, 21% of RDV of copper, 18% of RDV of Vitamin K, 9% of RDV of Vitamin B1, 8% of RDV of Vitamin B2, 8% of RDV of Vitamin B6, 6% of RDV of Potassium, 5% of RDV of Vitamin C, 5% of RDV of Manganese and 2% of RDV of Vitamin E.
Grapes also contain the flavonoid, anthocyanins, which has been shown to maintain lung function whilst aging. Take a bunch of grapes and hold them up. See how they resemble lungs? Some plants seem to show us what they are good for, just like the super brain food, the walnut, amongst many others.
Grapes contain resveratrol which may improve the body’s ability to use insulin by decreasing insulin resistance, increasing insulin sensitivity, protecting the pancreas’s beta cells which produce insulin, improving insulin production and increasing the number of glucose receptors on cell membranes.
Studies show that resveratrol may protect against Alzheimer’s disease by reducing brain inflammation and removing amyloid-beta peptide, of which an accumulation of has been linked to Alzheimer’s. Resveratrol also activates sirtuin, a protein that regulates cellular processes such as aging and cell death.
Resveratrol also has antimicrobial properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi.
Grapes also contain the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which have been shown to help maintain eye health, improve visual performance, and prevent common age-related eye diseases.
The constituents in grapes may also support bone health, support skin and hair health, relieve constipation, aid weight loss, support sleep, reduce inflammation, help lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, and regulate blood sugar. And grapes are believed to be antioxidant and anti-cancer.
And this really is only the tip of the iceberg. When they are in season, eat plenty.
It’s not meant to be complicated to be well, nor is it meant to be expensive.