Amazing Health and Nutritional Benefits of Grapes

Hundreds of medical studies have established the fact that consuming grapes in our diet has several health benefits. Grapes are a storehouse of phytonutrients called polyphenols that include flavonoids,

phenolic acids, and resveratrol. These three polyphenols constitute a major part of grape skin, stem and seeds. Products manufactured from grapes are also very beneficial for human health.

Nutritional Facts about Grapes

• Like most berries, nutritious value of grapes is very high. No matter you enjoy these fruits as fruit salad with peach, pear or apricot; or you eat them in the form of raisin and currants, grapes are ideal fruits for the young and the old, alike. Some important nutrition facts about grapes are as follows.
• Important vitamins such as vitamin A, B1, B2, B6 and C6 are found in grapes.
• Grapes also contain acids such as tartaric acids, malic acids, succinic, fumaric, glyceric, p-coumaric and caffeic acids.
• Beta-carotene, lycopene, ellagic acid, resveratrol and other sulfur compounds are found in grape skins.
• Grapes have important antioxidants such as anthocyanins, flavones, geraniol, linalol, nerol and tannins.
• Grapes contain all the necessary minerals such as calcium, chlorine, copper, fluorine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, silicon and sulfur.

Flavonoids
Grape juice has high levels of polyphenols called flavonoids, naturally-occurring compounds found in plant-based foods. Flavonoids increase levels of good cholesterol (HDL), lower the risk of clogged arteries and potentially lower blood pressure.

Antioxidant Benefits
Flavonoids, like other polyphenols, are examples of antioxidants. Antioxidants such as those found in grape juice are substances that can prevent damage to body cells and repair cell damage that has already occurred.

Resveratrol
Resveratrol is a flavonoid found in the skin of red and purple grapes. A study conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicated that grape juice derived from Concord grapes has more heart-healthy flavonoids than red wine, cranberry juice or orange juice.

Heart-Health Benefits
A study published in the journal "Circulation" indicated that drinking Concord grape juice helps with blood clotting and reduces the production of superoxide, a particularly damaging free radical in the body.

Blood Circulation Benefits
A different study published in "Circulation" indicated that people diagnosed with coronary heart disease who drank 2 servings of purple grape juice per day showed improved blood circulation and reduced levels of bad (LDL) cholesterol.

Brain-Health Benefits
Drinking purple grape juice may also help brain function. A recent study conducted at Tufts University on laboratory rats indicated that substances found in grape juice may improve strength, memory and coordination.