It is a food rich in antioxidants, it is also diuretic, anti-inflammatory and helps take care of your eyesight.
Grape consumption could be beneficial for the microbiota, according to a new study
Grapes are an ancient food that, beyond being the fundamental ingredient of wine and therefore an essential element of our culture in a thousand ways, have a high nutritional value and should be part of a healthy diet.
They have been consumed since prehistoric times, and the Greeks and Romans worshipped them through their respective wine gods, Dionysus and Bacchus. They belong to the Vitaceae family and are a berry that has given rise to many varieties, although the most obvious classification is the one that divides them into black and white grapes. The former are rich in anthocyanins and resveratrol, antioxidants that produce multiple benefits for our health, while the white ones are rich in quercetin, a flavonoid with anti-inflammatory effects.
Despite their reputation as a sugary food, grapes do not have a high glycemic index and are not too caloric - 100 grams provide 70 calories - and what is more, they help regulate blood glucose levels. They are also rich in fibre and carbohydrates (17%) that are quickly assimilated; they contain vitamin C and their minerals include potassium, copper and iron, but also calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, sulphur and selenium.
One of its most outstanding features is its purifying capacity. It contains more than 80% water, which helps to lighten the body, and its calcium (15 mg/100 g) and other alkaline elements stimulate the liver (an organ that balances the acidity of the blood and cleanses it). Its phytochemicals help the blood's glycemic balance, because they stimulate the pancreas and the production of insulin. For all these reasons, the WHO recommends its regular consumption.
Raw grapes are delicious and versatile, they lend themselves to being part of fruit salads, mueslis, cakes and all kinds of sweets. But we can also incorporate them into savoury recipes to achieve a sweet and sour touch.
Properties and benefits of grapes
1. Antioxidants. The skin of black grapes contains resveratrol, a substance that blocks free radicals, which are directly related to aging and cell degeneration. For this reason, some people consider grapes to be an elixir of eternal youth.
2. Anti-inflammatory: Grapes can make a very positive contribution to improving inflammatory diseases.
3. Detoxifiers. Grapes act as liver detoxifiers, improving liver problems. They are also good for the kidneys as they help eliminate uric acid thanks to their diuretic properties.
4. To take care of the heart. They promote the good condition of the arteries and the heart. They improve vasodilation and reduce the risk of thrombosis. Due to their potassium content, they help reduce blood pressure, which makes them very suitable for people with high blood pressure.
5. Grapes for gout, hypertension and arthritis. Grapes promote the proper functioning of the kidneys. This effect is especially beneficial for improving cases of gout or high uric acid. People with high blood pressure and kidney stones can also benefit from eating grapes.
6. Grapes as a diuretic. This fruit helps us to naturally eliminate excess fluids retained in the body and promotes the expulsion of waste products and toxins from our body.
7. Grapes for taking care of your eyesight. In this field, the anthocyanins in grapes are not only excellent for preventing degenerative eye diseases such as cataracts, but they also help us maintain visual acuity for longer.
8. Grapes for wrinkles. They have the ability to delay the appearance of wrinkles, and there are many beauty treatments whose main ingredient is crushed grapes applied to the area to be treated. Grapes take care of our skin and keep it looking young for longer.