The Nutritious Grape Juice and Phytonutrients

Grapes and Their History

Grape is a worldwide known kind of berry that grows as clusters in vines. It’s fame is connected to the fact that grapes are used to make wine. It is the size of a penny and is oval-shaped with a really unique tinge of sweet and sour juicy flavor. This fruit has a lot of different color varieties, from black, purple, crimson, and dark blue to yellow, green, pink, and orange. The purple grape variety is probably the most known type of grapes.

According to the history of this fruit, grapes were apparently grown wild in the Middle East or ‘Near East’, particularly in Persia which is today known as Iran. We are all aware of the importance of grapes in the food industry today. Since grapes naturally contains yeast, one of the earliest domesticated microorganisms which aids in fermentation, it was then a great breakthrough when people started producing the wine made from this fruit.  Since then, massive vineyards were cultivated and grapes were exported throughout the world.

Wine is quite more ancient as you probably think because traces of red wine were even found in Ancient Armenia where the oldest found winery up to date.  was located. It was said that Greeks, Romans, and Phoenicians were already cultivating their own vineyards for the purposes of both eating and wine production. So, grapes are almost as old as human history itself.

Grape Juice

Grape juice is one of the most delicious and healthiest juice drinks out there. Ancient Greeks, Romans, and Phoenicians already realized its value and benefits. Grape juice’s prime benefit is its phytonutrient-content which gave people longevity. It was also a very popular fruit because of its ability to ferment.

If you choose really ripe grapes for your grape juice, then make sure you mix them with some semi-ripe ones so that your juice won’t start turning into alcohol right away and kids will also be able to drink it.

Also make sure to purchase organic grapes because grapes are one of the most problematic cultivated fruits (probably also because they are so widespread) and are very prone to pest-infections so they are often sprayed with pesticides. Avoid this by purchasing organic grapes.

Overwhelming Health Benefits of Grapes

All fruits and vegetables are really nutritious and are good for our body, but there are also those rare ones who tend to outshine other fruits and vegetables. Grapes are on of them. For instance – red wine, which is made from grapes is at the top of the list of superfoods!

Red wine contains the controversial resveratrol which is proven to slow down the aging process. Life is all about living and surviving, and people would do anything to make their lives longer.

The famous “French Paradox” was the time when a mysterious case revolving around France’s low incidence of heart disease despite of people’s high fat and cholesterol diet, the red wine was the key to unlocking this mysterious phenomenon.

Amazing Phytonutrients

One of the reasons why grapes outshine other fruits is because of its phytonutrients (including resveratrol) which is the anti-cancer component found in grapes. This are substances which literally performs miraculous works.  In general, phytonutrients are a antioxidants which include polyphenols, anthocyanins, catechins, and quercetin.

These antioxidants (they are actually the crème of the crop when it comes to antioxidants) are all combined and stashed in one powerful fruit – grapes!

Phytonutrients can help prevent cancer, reduce blood pressure, and decrease blood clotting inside the veins. On top of all, they boost and strengthen our heart and prevent heart diseases, strokes, and heart attacks.

Balances Blood Sugar Levels

It has been discovered that grapes are a low glycemic index (GI) food which helps keep the blood sugar level in equilibrium. It also regulates insulin and increases insulin sensitivity. All of these make grapes a perfect combination for a diabetes-free life.

Anti-Bacterial

Because of their unique oligopeptides grapes are anti-bacterial.

They Make You Smarter

Believe it or not, grapes really do make people smarter. It has been tested and proven that a constant grape intake increases brain functions and strengthens the neurons, thus increases our I.Q. and thinking skills. Grapes are good for students :)!

Anti-Inflammatory

Grapes provide anti-inflammatory benefits – they prevent unwanted inflammations such as bronchi constriction and inflammation which is common in asthmatic people, thus they also prevent asthma.

Tasty, Hearty Grape Smoothie Recipe

Ingredients:

• ½ cup chilled grape juice/extract
• ¼ cup low-fat yogurt
• 1 cup seedless red grapes (frozen)

Directions:

1. In a blender or food processor, pour in chilled grape juice, yogurt, and red grapes. Mix until smooth and lathered.
2. Pour mixture into a tall drinking glass; you can refrigerate it for a couple of hours if you preferred chilled smoothie
3. Drop some clean red grapes in the glass for garnish just before serving.
4. Enjoy!

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