HEALTH BENEFITS OF GRAPE

A grape is a fruiting berry of the deciduous woody vines of the botanical genus vitis. It can be eaten raw; it is also used for making wine, jam, juice, jelly, and vinegar. Grape is a popular and delicious fruit; rich source of vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, Carotenes, B-Complex Vitamins such as riboflavin and thiamin, B6 and folate, in addition to essential minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, copper, phosphorus and selenium.



Grapes contain flavonoids that are very powerful antioxidants, which can reduce damages caused by free radicals and slow down aging. Grapes, due to their high nutrient content, play an important role in ensuring a healthy and active life. Health benefits of grapes include their ability to treat constipation, indigestion, fatigue, kidney disorders, macular degeneration and the prevention of cataracts.

Due to their well-known therapeutic value, grapes can be used as cure for asthma. In addition to that, the hydrating power of grapes is also high, which increases the moisture present in the lungs and reduces asthmatic events.

Grape can help prevent certain oxygen-related enzymes from becoming overactive; it increases our blood levels of glutathione, helps protect cell membrane from free radical damage, lowers levels of oxygen reactive molecules in our blood, reduces oxidation of fat (lipid per oxidation) and lowers biomarkers of oxidative stress.

Grapes are rich in polyphenolic phytochemical compound resveratrol, which is one of the powerful anti-oxidant that has been found to play a protective role against colon and prostate cancers, coronary heart disease, degenerative nerve disease, Alzheimer’s disease and viral/fungal infections.

From the above benefits one can see that grapes play a pivotal role in preventing a multitude of health disorders and can be used as a home-based remedy for several ailments. 

Ruth Yakubu