Health Benefits of Grapes

Credit: Foto_di_Signorina

Grapes are good for you and available all year long

Grapes are low in calories, fat-free and available year-round – all good reasons to add them to your daily snacks

More than 70% of the grapes grown around the world are used for making wine; the rest are consumed fresh or dried. Table grapes are typically thin-skinned and seedless, while wine grapes have thicker skins and seeds, which help give wine its aroma and flavour.

Green or white eating grapes have evolved from purple grapes and lack the anthocyanins or polyphenols responsible for their rich colour.


Red Grapes and Resveratrol

Red wine contains high amounts of the antioxidant
resveratrol (Image: Brandie Minchew)

Much attention has been given to the antioxidant resveratrol, which is found in grape skins, wine and purple grape juice.

Resveratrol plays a role in reducing the risk of blood clots, reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol, preventing damage to blood vessels and helping to maintain healthy blood pressure.

Red wine is fermented with grape skin, which is why it contains more resveratrol than white wine. However, eating grapes or drinking grape juice can deliver the same health benefits without the alcohol.


Eating Grapes is a No-brainer

At only 60 calories, one cup/ 250 mL of table grapes (red or white) contains small amounts of vitamins and minerals, 1 gram of fibre, no fat and virtually no sodium. Available year round, they’re a sweet and healthy addition to any brown bag lunch. For a light dessert, freeze seedless grapes, and then thaw them slightly before serving.

Originally published in Wellness Matters, Canada Wide Media’s quarterly newsletter on health and wellness.