Good News from the Grapevine
Grapes can be eaten fresh or dried (raisins), while grape juice is a favorite beverage. Although seedless grapes are highly sought after for table grapes, the absence of seeds does diminish the phytochemical content of the grape. Grapes are also used for making jam, jelly, and wine.
Currants are dried Zante grapes, but the name currant has also been applied to two berries, black currants and red currants, that are unrelated to grapes. Sultanas were originally raisins derived from a lighter grape of Turkish origin.
Grape seeds provide an edible oil. Grape seed extract is also available as a supplement. It is claimed to strengthen capillary walls, so that it finds use in the treatment of venous insufficiency, and edema following surgery. It also reduces the risk of blood clots.
Many of the health benefits attributed to red/purple grapes are due to the pigments that are concentrated largely in the skin and seeds, which have about 100 times higher level than the pulp of the grape. Anthocyanins tend to be the main polyphenolics in red grapes while the catechins are the more abundant phenolic in white grapes. The phenolic content of grape skins depends upon the variety, the soil, climate, geography, cultivation practice, and exposure to fungal infections. Grapes are also rich in ellagic acid, a potent flavonoid that helps fight cancer.
Grapes and grape juice function in different ways in the cardiovascular system. The pigments in red, purple and black grapes protect the cardiovascular system by a number of mechanisms that include the suppression of blood clots, inhibition of LDL cholesterol oxidation, reduced homocysteine levels, and anti-atherosclerotic properties. Grapes stimulate endothelial nitric oxide production which induces relaxation of the blood vessel walls, and a reduction in blood pressure levels. Recently, it was shown that a Concord grape extract lowered LDL cholesterol, raised HDL cholesterol, and decreased plasma inflammatory biomarkers.
Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene), a dietary constituent found in grapes exerts a wide variety of pharmacological activities. Resveratrol is as an effective agent for cancer chemoprevention due its ability to block many steps in the carcinogenesis process. Resveratrol contained in red grapes and berries has been shown to inhibit prostate cancer cell growth, induce apoptosis, influence interleukin-6, and exert immuno-modulatory effect on mouse lymphocytic leukemia. One of the possible mechanisms for the protective activity of resveratrol is by down regulation of inflammatory responses. Resveratrol also inhibits the nuclear transcription factor, NFkappaB.
Anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins are two groups of polyphenolics in Concord and similar grape juices. These substances show cancer preventive and anti-proliferative properties and can detoxify the activity of some cancer-causing substances. Concord grape juice can protect healthy breast cells from DNA damage caused by a chemical carcinogen. Grape juice also suppresses the growth and development of breast cancer cells in laboratory animals given chemically induced tumors. The grape juice reduced both mammary tumor size and the number of tumors per animal. The pigments in grape juice also improve immune responsiveness.
Promising data suggests the use of grape juice to promote brain health and delay neurodegenerative diseases. Participants that drank purple grape juice and similar fruit juices three times a week were about 70% less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. When laboratory animals were fed Concord grape juice they showed significantly improved scores on memory and coordination tests.
Author: Winston Craig, MPH, PhD, RD.
The Healthy Benefits of Eating Black Grapes
By Warren D. Griffin
We see them in our grocery stores, we buy them. But do we really know the healthy benefits of them?
Because of the healthy value, black grapes are highly regarded as a benefit to our health. Particularly, black grapes are invaluable due to their uses in diets that are designed for a variety of health problems. But this fruit alone is not sufficient for balancing a diet by itself. If black grapes have been suggested to you for a health problem that you may have, you need to pay attention to this advice due to its importance.
If you enjoy eating black grapes, start thinking about incorporating them as a vital part of your diet. Grapes as a whole are very rich in minerals like: PHOSPHORUS, VITAMIN C, POTASSIUM, CALCIUM AND MAGNESIUM.
PHOSPHORUS: Phosphorus in diet
Phosphorus is a mineral that makes up 1% of a person's total body weight. It is present in every cell of the body, but most of the phosphorus in the body is found in the bones and teeth.
Function
The main function of phosphorus is in the formation of bones and teeth. It plays an important role in the body's utilization of carbohydrates and fats and in the synthesis of protein for the growth, maintenance, and repair of cells and tissues. It is also crucial for the production of ATP, a molecule the body uses to store energy.
Phosphorus works with the B vitamins. It also assists in the contraction of muscles, in the functioning of kidneys, in maintaining the regularity of the heartbeat, and in nerve conduction.
VITAMIN C,
POTASSIUM, Potassium
Overview:
Potassium is a very important mineral for the proper function of all cells, tissues, and organs in the human body. It is also an electrolyte, a substance that conducts electricity in the body, along with sodium, chloride, calcium, and magnesium. Potassium is crucial to heart function and plays a key role in skeletal and smooth muscle contraction, making it important for normal digestive and muscular function, too. Many foods contain potassium, including all meats, some types of fish (such as salmon, cod, and flounder), and many fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Dairy products are also good sources of potassium.
Having too much potassium in the blood is called hyperkalemia; having too little is known as hypokalemia. Keeping the right potassium balance in the body depends on the amount of sodium and magnesium in the blood. Too much sodium -- common in Western diets that use a lot of salt -- may increase the need for potassium. Diarrhea, vomiting, excessive sweating, malnutrition, malabsorption syndromes (such as Crohn's disease) can also cause potassium deficiency, as well as use of a kind of heart medicine called loop diuretics.
Most people get all of the potassium they need from a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruits. Older people have a greater risk of hyperkalemia because our kidneys are less efficient at eliminating potassium as we age. Older people should be careful when taking medication that may affect potassium levels, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and ACE inhibitors (see section on Interactions).
Whatever your age, talk to your doctor before taking potassium supplements.
Bone Health
At least one study shows a positive link between a diet rich in potassium and bone health. More research is needed to determine whether a diet high in potassium can reduce bone turnover in people.
Hypokalemia
The most important use of potassium is to treat the symptoms of hypokalemia (low potassium), which include weakness, lack of energy, muscle cramps, stomach disturbances, an irregular heartbeat, and an abnormal EKG (electrocardiogram, a test that measures heart function). Hypokalemia is usually caused by the body losing too much potassium in the urine or intestines; it's rarely caused by a lack of potassium in the diet. Hypokalemia can be life-threatening and should always be treated by a doctor.
High Blood Pressure
Some studies have linked low levels of potassium in the diet with high blood pressure. And there is some evidence that potassium supplements might cause a slight drop in blood pressure. But not all studies agree -- two large studies found no effect on blood pressure. It may be that taking potassium only helps lower blood pressure if you're not getting enough of this mineral to start with. Before taking potassium or any supplement for high blood pressure, talk to your doctor.
Stroke
People who get a lot of potassium in their diet have a lower risk of stroke. However, potassium supplements don't seem to have the same benefit.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
People with IBD (ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease) often have trouble absorbing nutrients from their intestine, and may have low levels of potassium and other important nutrients. If you have IBD, your doctor may check your potassium levels and recommend a supplement.
Dietary Sources:
Good sources of potassium include bananas, citrus juices (such as orange juice), avocados, cantaloupes, tomatoes, potatoes, lima beans, flounder, salmon, cod, chicken, and other meats
There are other vitamins and minerals that are inside grapes that are healthy for us but in much smaller quantities. Like most fruits, black grapes are very rich in carbohydrates, even though they consist of sugar and have very little fiber from a dietary standpoint. In addition to the other nutrients that have black grapes have is one that is really important to our overall health; Resveratrol. Reseveratrol helps to prevent numerously danger conditions which include fungal and viral infections, nerve degeneration, cancer, ALS, and heart disease. Resveratrol also slows down the process of aging as a whole. It inhibits the deterioration of heart and skeletal muscles. The seeds in grapes are just as beneficial as the fruit because they contain significant amounts of antioxidants as well as other nutrients.
For cooking, grape seed oil can be used to cook a variety of foods and is good for baking, using in salads, and for frying if you prefer. Also worthy of mention is the many benefits of grape intake can be found in the consumption of wine. Sadly, the same cannot be said of other fruits where it is better to eat the fresh fruit itself, rather than the juice or other derivatives. Please remember that moderation is always important when consuming wine as excessive amounts of alcohol can cancel out the possible benefits of black grapes.
Here is a great tip: if you are feeling sluggish and tired during a hard day at work and you find yourself wanting to take a nap, it may be time to do something about why you are felling fatigued. A simply way to combat this problem is to start drinking grape juice. Grapes help fight fatigue by replenishing the body's iron supply. Give it a try and see if you do not fell refreshed and energized after drinking some grape juice.
The benefits of consuming black grapes into your diet will help you in the long run towards great overall health and keep your body safe from viruses and many damaging ailments.
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