Benefits of eating grapes
Grapes are full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They’re also full of water, which can help keep you hydrated. Here’s how eating grapes can benefit your health.
1. Helps your immune system
Since grapes are a great source of vitamin C, they may help your immune system fight against bacterial and viral infections like yeast infections.
If we have a strong immune system, our body’s better able to fight against and prevent any sudden, short-term illness.
2. Prevents cancer
Full of antioxidants, grapes may help fight off free radicals, which are molecules that can damage cells and may lead to cancer.
So antioxidants go out and reduce what we call oxidative stress to help reduce the risk of cancer.
Grapes also boast the antioxidant called resveratrol, which may protect against cancer by reducing inflammation and blocking the growth of cancer cells. Grapes also contain catechins, quercetin, and anthocyanins, other antioxidants which may be a powerful combination against cancer.
3. Lowers blood pressure
Grapes are very low in sodium, they fit well into a low-sodium diet plan helping to reduce blood pressure.
Moreover, they are also high in potassium, which can help balance out blood pressure too. If you have a low intake of potassium, you may have an increased risk of high blood pressure.
4. Protects against heart disease
Resveratrol may not only help prevent cancer. It has also been shown to help protect against heart disease.
A study also shows that those whose diets had more potassium than sodium were less likely to die from heart disease than individuals who didn’t have as much potassium in their diets.
5. Reduces high cholesterol
You’ll find plenty of fiber in grapes, making them a good option to help lower high cholesterol.
In a study of people with high cholesterol, those who ate three cups of red grapes a day for eight weeks had lower total cholesterol and LDL “bad” cholesterol.
6. Protects against diabetes
Grapes have a low glycemic index number, meaning they won’t raise your blood sugar.
Studies show that nutrients in grapes may decrease blood sugar levels and may increase insulin sensitivity, which may help your body use glucose.
7. Helps maintain brain health
It’s all about resveratrol, which benefits the body in many ways. The powerful antioxidant helps reduce oxidative stress, which can have a positive effect on your brain.
Think about Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, those can be signs of oxidative stress, resveratrol may help reduce the chances of those diseases from happening.
Though a study shows the potential of the antioxidant when it comes to preventing cognitive disorders, there’s still needs to research on humans to truly understand if it’s beneficial.
8. Improves bone health
Thanks to vitamin K and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium, eating grapes may help you maintain strong bones.
While all those nutrients are important for bone health, more studies are needed to fully understand how grapes may help bone health.
9. Slows down aging
Yes, you read that right. If you’re looking to fight Father Time, grapes may help keep you youthful.
Resveratrol (yes, that powerful antioxidant again) stimulates the SirT1 gene, which has been linked to a longer lifespan by affecting cell structure and protecting cells.
It helps protect certain genes which lead to healthy aging and longevity.
10. Improves sleep
Have a hard time getting a good night’s sleep? Grapes may help you catch some ZZZs.
Grapes do have a degree of melatonin in them. So they’re a great evening snack. Grapes don’t have a lot of calories and they can potentially help you fall asleep.