Fruits.
Everybody loves them. They’re tasty, nutritious, and have great natural sugars, making them the perfect alternative to sugary processed snacks. One of the most popular fruits out there is the grape, one of the most consumed fruits in America.
However, most people snack on the vine-grown berry without knowing the insane benefits it actually holds. If you’re the kind that loves fruits or wants to fix their diet, then keep reading because this article is for you!
1. Grapes boost your brain power
Grapes have many benefits when it comes to the health-side of things. One of the biggest potential ones is their effect on the brain.
A 2016 research study focused on the effects of grapes on senior citizens found that the ones suffering from a mild cognitive decline who ate grapes everyday were able to upkeep their metabolic activity throughout the regions of their brains. These regions, in specific, are the ones associated with Alzheimers’ disease, which is what causes metabolic issues.
In fact, grapes are a source of flavonols, a metabolite found specifically in plants. Higher flavonol consumption has been connected to a lower risk of Alzheimers’, in some cases as low as 48%!
2. Grapes are good for your eyes
Not only do grapes contain flavonol, but they also contain special plant compounds, such as resveratrol, that have been proven to defend against eye diseases and damage.
Another 2016 study focused on the effects of grapes on mice concluded that the grape had, in fact, lowered the amount of retina damage the mice were receiving overtime. These mice were compared with a control group not fed any grapes.
Resveratrol is known to protect the retina cells from UVA light damage, which can thus lower your susceptibility to an eye infection known as macular degeneration, also known as AMD. It also safeguards the eye from the risk of glaucoma and diabetes-induced eye disease.
We’re not saying to ditch your glasses of course, but it definitely is an added benefit.
3. Grapes Can Lower Blood Pressure Levels
Here’s some nutritional information for you: approximately 151 grams of grapes contains about 6% of the necessary potassium for the day. Only a serving size of grapes gets you that much potassium for the day, and we all know you don’t stop at one serving.
Potassium is great because it aids in containing a healthy and natural blood pressure level, which is key to living a healthy life.
The nutrient dilates the arteries and veins in the body, as well as rids the body of excess sodium. Of course, with everything, too much and too little potassium is not good for you, so you should be trying to get it in higher amounts from other food sources. A few grapes don’t hurt though!
4. Grapes are heart-healthy!
Now, when it comes to the heart, grapes truly are an essential.
Not only do they aid in maintaining healthy levels of blood pressure, but they also aid in a fancy medical term known as vasorelaxation.
Vasorelaxation is the process of reducing the tension between the blood vessel walls in the body. This leads to a healthier blood flow.
Alongside this however grapes also counter inflammation and oxidative stress, problems many people face nowadays. They also promote and lead to healthy blood lipid profiles, which is obviously a plus!
5. Grapes contain lots of antioxidants
You’ve probably heard this term in the past: Antioxidants. Antioxidants are compounds that aid in repairing cell damage overtime. This damage is usually caused by oxidative stress, which is induced by free radical molecules. Oxidative stress is a big negative as it can be the precursor to cancer and heart disease.
Grapes can help avoid this due to their high levels of antioxidants however. For example, some versions of the fruit have high levels of anthocyanins, a type of flavonoid. This is what gives the fruits their eye-catching colors. As we mentioned earlier, flavonols can help prevent brain disease.
The plant also contains stores of vitamin c, beta carotene, and ellagic acid. All of these are necessary antioxidants for the body.
So next time you’re at the grocery store, make sure to get yourself a nice bag of nutritious, and tasty, grapes!
