Grapes are a delicious and very popular fruit. Not only that, grapes also bring many health benefits. So what are the effects of eating grapes?
Grapes are a fruit rich in vitamins, fiber, minerals… With a high content of nutrients and antioxidants, grapes bring many benefits to human health. In the article below, let’s learn about the nutritional composition of grapes and answer the question of what are the benefits of eating grapes!
Nutritional composition of grapes
Grapes are a fruit that contains a very rich amount of vitamin K. This is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in the body’s blood clotting process as well as helping to strengthen bones.
In addition, vitamin C in grapes is also an essential substance for the body. Vitamins act as powerful antioxidants that are essential for the health of connective tissues.
In addition to vitamin K and vitamin C, 1 cup of grapes (151 grams) also contains the following nutrients:
- Calories: 104.
- Carbohydrates: 27.3 grams.
- Protein: 1.1 grams.
- Fiber: 1.4 grams.
- Fat: 0.2 grams.
- Thiamine: 7% RDI.
- Riboflavin: 6% RDI.
- Vitamin B6: 6% RDI.
- Vitamin C: 27% RDI.
- Vitamin K: 28% RDI.
- Potassium: 8% RDI.
- Copper: 10% RDI.
- Magnesium: 5% RDI.
Of which, RDI (Reference Daily Intake) is the reference daily intake.
What are the benefits of eating grapes?
With an extremely diverse nutritional content, grapes bring many health benefits.
What are the benefits of eating grapes?
Here are some of the benefits of grapes:
Grapes help prevent chronic diseases
Grapes contain high levels of antioxidants, which help repair cell damage caused by free radicals. Antioxidants are concentrated in grape skins and seeds, and remain present even after grapes have fermented. That is why red wine also contains many of these antioxidants.
Typical chronic diseases that antioxidants affect are: Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, etc.
Grapes protect the body against certain types of cancer
Grapes contain many plant compounds, including resveratrol, which has been shown to protect the body against cancer by reducing inflammation. This compound acts as an antioxidant, preventing the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body to other organs.
A study has shown that, in the group of subjects over 50 years old, eating about 450 grams of grapes per day for 2 weeks reduces the risk of colon cancer.
Grapes are good for the heart
Grapes bring many benefits to cardiovascular health, specifically:
Grapes help lower blood pressure: Potassium in grapes is an extremely necessary mineral for maintaining blood pressure at normal levels. Lack of potassium in the body can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke or high blood pressure.
Grapes reduce blood cholesterol: Compounds in grapes can reduce cholesterol absorption, thereby preventing hyperlipidemia. A study has shown that eating 500 grams of grapes per day for 8 weeks can significantly reduce total cholesterol and bad cholesterol.
Grapes are good for the heart.
Grapes are good for people with diabetes
With a fairly low sugar content, grapes are considered a suitable choice for people with diabetes. A study of 38 men showed that they used 20 grams of grape extract every day and after 16 weeks their blood sugar levels had significantly decreased.
In addition, resveratrol in grapes has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity, thereby improving blood sugar levels at a stable level.
Grapes are good for the eyes
According to a study conducted in vitro, resveratrol in grapes was found to have the ability to protect retinal cells from the effects of ultraviolet rays. This can help reduce the risk of eye diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, cataracts, etc.
In addition, grapes also contain antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin. These compounds have the effect of protecting the eyes against the effects of blue light.
Grapes are good for the eyes
Eating grapes helps improve brain health
For brain health, grapes have the ability to help improve memory, increase concentration, help stabilize mood… Resveratrol in grapes can also help protect the brain against Alzheimer’s disease, although this statement needs more research to confirm clearly.
Eating grapes is good for bones
Grapes contain many vitamins and minerals that are good for bones such as vitamin K, calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus… In addition, some studies on mice have shown that resveratrol has the ability to help improve bone density, although there are no confirmed research results on humans.
Grapes help the body fight certain infections, fungi and viruses
The abundant amount of vitamin C in grapes can help the body fight certain infections, fungi and viruses such as influenza, herpes, chickenpox, etc. In addition, when grapes are added to other dishes, grapes have the effect of preventing the growth of certain harmful bacteria, such as E.coli bacteria.
Who should not eat grapes?
Although grapes contain a lot of nutrients and bring many health benefits, there are still some people who should not eat grapes:
People who are treating high blood pressure with medication: Although grapes have the effect of stabilizing blood pressure, for people who are using medication to treat high blood pressure, grapes can interact and reduce the effect of the medication. It is best for people who are treating high blood pressure to abstain or limit eating grapes.
People with stomach ulcers: Vitamin C in grapes is not good for stomach ulcers, so people with this disease should limit eating grapes.
People with stomach ulcers should not eat grapes.
Above is basic information related to the nutritional content of grapes as well as the answer to the question: “What are the effects of eating grapes?”. Hopefully the above article has provided readers with useful knowledge.
