Benefits and harms of grapes for the body of women and men
Grapes are not called the sunny berry for nothing. Ripening in hot southern countries, it concentrates in itself the life-giving energy of the sun. This plant has been cultivated since ancient times, ancient doctors dedicated treatises to its beneficial properties, and their patients worshipped the gods of winemaking. The benefits of the sunny berries can be judged already by the fact that in modern medicine there is a direction dedicated to the treatment of grapes – ampelotherapy. Let’s consider what substances grapes contain, what are the benefits and harms of this berry for the body, and how to use it correctly, so as not to harm your health.
The Grape’s Benefits
The diet of the inhabitants of the Mediterranean, whose diet all year round includes grapes and dry grape wines, is considered the healthiest in the world, it was even assigned the status of the Mediterranean diet.
This happened because in the Mediterranean countries the incidence of cardiovascular diseases and cancer is much lower than in the world. And the credit for this lies largely in the prevailing style of eating there and, in particular, the abundance in the diet of grapes, grape juice and wine from it.
The benefits of grapes for the body are as follows:
- Because of its rich vitamin and mineral composition, it covers the body’s need for many essential compounds. Instead of ingesting synthetic vitamins – eat grapes, it is more pleasant and healthier.
- Sunny berries are rich in antioxidants, substances that prevent the formation of free radicals, which are one of the main causes of aging. Dry red wines are valued so highly because of their high antioxidant content. Their moderate consumption is associated with a high average life expectancy in Mediterranean countries.
- Black grapes contain substances that have antibacterial properties. Their juice helps to resist pathogenic bacteria and normalize intestinal microflora. It is believed that the consumption of dark varieties will help fight even the herpes virus. The grapes of black varieties together with garlic can be classified as natural antibiotics and antiviral agents.
- All varieties have a mild laxative effect, and that is why grapes are useful for people suffering from constipation. If you eat a small brush every day, you can forget about the difficulties with defecation. It has a positive effect not only on your mood, but also on your health.
- It strengthens the walls of the arteries, prevents the deposition of cholesterol on them and reduces the likelihood of blood clots, thereby reducing the risk of heart attacks and brain damage. This is confirmed by the low incidence of heart attacks in countries with high consumption of grapes and dry wines.
- Saturates the body with potassium, which is beneficial to the heart.
- Increases efficiency, normalizes the functioning of the nervous system due to the complex of natural vitamins and minerals, as well as easily digestible sugars.
- Draws radionuclides and heavy metals out of the body, so it is successfully used in the treatment of radiation sickness.
- Helps improve blood composition, increases hemoglobin levels and stimulates hematopoiesis.
- Increases immunity, which helps to successfully fight fungal and bacterial infections.
- It helps maintain the beauty and youthfulness of the skin and strengthens teeth, nails, and hair.
- Dark varieties contain substances that have antitumor effects.
The list of beneficial properties of grapes does not end here. They improve mental performance and are observed in older people. Due to the large amount of useful sugars, they help in the treatment of liver diseases. Freshly squeezed grape juice drunk in the morning can stop a migraine attack.
However, all of the above applies only to grape berries consumed in season.
The useful properties of grape bunches that are unknown how long they have been stored before arriving on the supermarket shelf. To an even greater extent, this applies to juices in bottles and packets, about which we can only say with certainty that they contain a large amount of sugar, and the remaining ingredients are of chemical rather than natural origin.
What are the benefits of grape leaves
If we consider what are the benefits of grapes for the body, we should not forget about the leaves and seeds of the plant. The fruits are almost as good as grapes and seeds in their chemical composition. Their composition includes:
- B vitamins (B1-B9);
- Vitamins – C, A, E, K;
- Minerals – phosphorus, potassium, calcium;
- Trace elements – copper, selenium.
In medicine, grapes are used as a remedy for constipation, which is used in the treatment of diabetes, rheumatism. Powder of dried and mashed leaves of grapes has antiseptic properties, they sprinkle pus wounds and stop nasal blood.
The benefits of grapes for children
Undoubtedly, grapes are useful for the growing body of children, if it has a lot of useful properties. It has most of the substances necessary for the growth of the child. It is not for nothing that grape juice is equated with breast milk.
Especially indispensable are grapes in the diet of weakened children and kids with poor appetite. Everyone knows that it is worth persuading a child to eat soup, schnitzel or porridge. Often this is simply impossible to do, and mothers are afraid that the child will not get the calories and nutrients that he needs so much.
And this is where grape juice comes to moms’ rescue. A rare baby will refuse this delicious drink, which quickly runs out due to its high glucose content and fills the body with many useful substances necessary for growth and development. Of course, we are talking about freshly squeezed grape juice, not the crossed chemical stuff from bottles and pockets.
Sonnenberry happens to cause diathesis or diarrhea in children. To avoid this, give white varieties and juice to children prone to allergic reactions rather than black varieties.
Also make sure that the child does not drink grape juice with milk, soda. In the baby’s diet, introduce this berry with caution, so that the body reacts to it.
The benefits of grapes for men
In terms of average life expectancy, men are significantly inferior to women. The reason for this is their greater susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases.
The consumption of grapes helps to successfully resist the development of atherosclerosis, lower blood pressure and the risk of blood clots. All this reduces the risk of heart attacks and can significantly increase the average life expectancy of men.
Useful properties of grapes for men’s health are confirmed by scientific studies and by the fact that in camps where grapes are grown, the incidence of cardiovascular disease in men is much lower than in the rest of the world.
The benefits of grapes during pregnancy
Women have many health problems during pregnancy, and most of them can be solved by consuming grapes:
- Constipation is a constant companion of the second half of pregnancy. Here the laxative properties of the sun berries come to the rescue.
- Anemia is also a common problem, to solve it will help grapes, which help to increase hemoglobin.
- Swelling, which is typical for this time, will not bother you if you eat grapes, because they have diuretic properties and chase excess water from the body.
In addition, many vitamins and minerals that are contained in grapes, are simply necessary for the future mother and the growing fetus. But too many grapes should not be eaten, because they have the ability to thin the blood, and this can be dangerous for pregnant women. The sufficient dose is 150 grams per day.
How much can I eat and how often?
If there are no contraindications and negative reactions of the body to the use of grapes, you can eat them every day. But it’s better to do it in season, since grapes can’t be stored for too long, and in winter the grape bunches are likely to contain a lot of chemicals. At uncharacteristic times for this culture, it is better to eat its fruits, or at most eat them occasionally and in small quantities.
The daily rate of consumption of grapes is mainly limited by calories and sugar content. Dietitians recommend not to eat more than 200 grams of grapes a day, in order not to exceed the daily caloric intake and not to overload the body with fructose.
If you completely avoid sugar in any form and do not choose too sweet varieties, then this dose can be harmlessly increased one and a half times.
Contraindications
The harm of grapes for the body can feel those to whom it is contraindicated. These are the following categories of people:
- Patients with gastric and duodenal ulcers in the acute stage;
- Patients with diabetes mellitus;
- Hypertension;
- Tendency to edema;
- Tendency to diarrhea;
- With a BMI above the normal value;
- Patients with heart failure;
- Patients with colitis.
It is also not recommended to eat grapes in case of problems in the mouth – stomatitis, tooth decay. When they talk about the harm of grapes to the body, Isabella and Lydia varieties are often mentioned.
Scientists have found that the fermentation of these varieties produces toxic methyl alcohol, which causes damage to the kidneys, liver and other internal organs. But this only happens in the production of wine, in fresh Isabella and Lydia are not more harmful than other varieties.
Composition of grapes
Grapes berries contain many biologically active substances, vitamins and trace elements. They are rated by their content:
- Glucose and fructose;
- Organic acids;
- Pectins;
- Minerals – iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, potassium, etc;
- Vitamins – A, C, P, PP, group V.
Almost all the valuable substances of grapes are preserved in products from IT – rosin, dry wine, cognac.
Calorie content
The number of kilocalories in 100 g of grapes depends on the sugar content, and it, in turn, depends on the sort and degree of ripeness of grapes. The sweeter the grapes, the more calories they have. The calorie content is about 40 to 75 kcal/100g. The degree of sweetness does not correlate with the color of the grape.
There are hundreds of varieties of grapes, among which there are less sweet black and green varieties.
The properties of black grapes
Black grapes are considered healthier than white grapes. This is due to the content of a large number of antioxidants and substances with antibacterial and anticancer activity. Most of these substances are contained in the shells of berries, so it is recommended to eat berries together with the shell. H
And the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of dry red wine are enhanced to a greater extent than white wine. Remarkable substances get into this drink from the black grape bowl and pips during fermentation.
Properties of white grapes
White grapes, while not having all the benefits of black grapes, are also very beneficial. Advantages include lightness and fewer allergens. Many who are allergic to black varieties can consume white grapes without fear. It is also less likely to cause diathesis in children.
The role of grapes in cooking
In cooking, dried grapes Kishmish – raisins are used for cooking soups and desserts. A popular Georgian delicacy, churchkhela is made from boiled grape juice.
In the cuisines of Armenia, Moldova, Turkey, Greece, and many Asian countries grape leaves are used to prepare dishes similar to Russian cabbage rolls.
Young green leaves of white grapes combine well with meat, rice, vegetable fillings that are wrapped for frying and then removed. They enrich dishes with their valuable vitamin and mineral composition, fiber, pleasant taste and aroma.
Wine leaves are also used in desserts, for example, in the preparation of sweet pilaf with dried fruits and honey.
White or black grapes are healthier
In the fall, you can enjoy delicious and healthy grapes. It is a product that relieves stress, has a positive effect on blood circulation and strengthens the immune system. For this reason, black or white grapes are introduced into the diet. Each type contains individual therapeutic elements.
Benefits of white and black grapes
Useful properties of grapes
Grapes have many varieties. They differ in taste, but have the same beneficial properties. The taste differs depending on the color of the pulp, the skin. Light varieties have a delicate sweet taste, and dark ones, on the contrary, are musky, sour. Cultured pulp consists not only of water or carbohydrates, but also of several fruit acids:
- Vinic;
- malic acid;
- formic acid.
The fruit contains large amounts of copper, which is responsible for the performance of the brain, cardiovascular or nervous system, and potassium, thanks to which the blood pressure is normalized. If you add berries to the diet, a person does not have problems with memory. It becomes more concentrated. The crop helps to cope with anemia, improve vision and immunity.
Large bunches of juicy berries improve the condition of the skin, making it more elastic and radiant. The main thing is not to eat them after a meal, otherwise the metabolism is disturbed, the intestines become clogged and overweight appears. It is better to consume berries in small portions and as a separate dish.
Vegetable image should be eaten together with the shell. It contains a large number of useful substances:
- Keratin;
- cellulose;
- Natural yeast;
- Vitamin A.
The crop is used to prevent cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.
Benefits of grape leaves
Not only the berries of the plant have useful properties, but also the leaves. They are rich in fiber, vitamins A, B, C, K, PP and ascorbic acid, which has a metabolic effect. Vine leaves contain minerals:
They are heat-treated or eaten fresh. Five to six pieces or 35 g should be eaten per day to stay healthy.
They are often included in the diet of people with edema and venous insufficiency. The leaves are used as an additive to dishes. They are steamed together with tea leaves to relieve abdominal cramps during menstruation.
Powder of dried leaves is used as an antiseptic for wounds. If you mix it with cream, you get a mask that removes skin from the skin. A few leaves kill bacteria in the mouth – they reduce the risk of tooth decay.
The medicinal components of white grapes
Grapes have anti-cancer properties
Each grape variety has its own beneficial properties. White grapes are high in phosphorus, zinc and calcium. It contains a unique combination of polyphenols and flavonoids. These are active substances that fight cancer cells and prevent their development. The medicinal properties of light berries include:
- antibacterial;
- antifungal;
- Virostatic;
- antitumor.
This type of crop improves heart function and removes cholesterol from the body. Green varieties, also known as white or pink varieties, are recommended for weight loss. Popular ones are:
- Pleasure;
- White Fire;
- Chardonnay;
- Tower;
- Valentine;
- Maxi.
They are also good for people with kidney disease. White varieties contain a large amount of silver particles, which remove bacteria from the body.
Useful components of black grapes
While white grapes kill bacteria and germs, black grapes are good for the blood vessels. It increases hemoglobin, removes toxins. Diseases of the cardiovascular system are less common in people who regularly consume black varieties of culture. Black berries thin the blood and prevent the formation of blood clots.
Dark varieties of berries prevent premature aging of the skin, reduce the negative effects of ultraviolet rays on the skin and strengthen the hair and nails.
Cosmetic and medicinal means are made on their basis. Popular varieties of black grapes are:
- Codreanca;
- Moldavian Kishmish;
- Afonsky;
- Odessa black;
- Black Finger.
They contain iodine, which regulates hormones of the endocrine system. B vitamins help to resist stress. And useful elements of black varieties stimulate the secretion of gastric juice. They have choleretic properties. Regular consumption of black juice in large quantities makes it difficult to absorb iron from food, while white berries make it easier.
