Grape plants, fruit-bearing vines from the Vitis genus of the Vitaceae family, have been with us so long that fossilized leaves, stems and seeds have been found in Northern hemisphere deposits from the Neogene and Paleogene periods, which cover a stretch of time between 2.6 million and 65million years ago. They are colorful globe-like, juicy, sugary berries, whether they come in blue, purple, red, pink, green or amber. Grapes are grown in temperate climate across the world, including Southern Europe, Africa, Australia and North South America. The majority of grapes grown in the US are from California.

Grapes are nutrition powerhouses. They are packed with vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that plays key roles in immune system, health, connective tissue development and wound healing. They are also a source of vitamin K, which helps with blood clotting and maintain healthy bones as well as potassium, which is important kidney and heart function, muscle contraction and nerve signal transmission.

Grapes are also rich in antioxidants, which help protect the body cells against oxidative stress, a mechanism linked to cancer, heart disease and Alzheimerʼs disease. In particular, darker grapes such as Concord and purple varieties are especially high in antioxidants. According to Department of Agriculture, these are the nutrition facts for 1 cup of red or green grapes or 151grams (g): (12)

The fruit, seeds, skins and leaves of grapes plants (Vitis vinifera) are purported to have many health benefits. Here are some supposed health benefits for which the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database says there is evidence that grape product are infective: fever, nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, tissue hardness and pain caused by radiation and weight loss.

Grapes offer a wealth of health benefits due to their high nutrients and antioxidant contents are packed with nutrients, especially vitamins C and K, highly antioxidants contents may prevent chronic diseases, plant compounds may protect against certain types of cancer, beneficial for heart health in various impressive ways and may decrease blood sugar levels and protect against diabetes, may  improve memory and attention, contain many nutrients important for bone health, may protect against certain bacteria, viruses and yeast infection, may slow down aging and promote longevity and they may delicious, versatile and easily incorporated into a health diet.

Written by: Minahil