We all love the sweet and sour taste of grapes. Apart from being a power packed fruit, it also works as a great snacking option. Grapes are full of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunity-boosting properties. The essential nutrients present in grapes are mainly the different types of vitamins, minerals, protein and also sugar. You can eat them fresh or as various types of food processed from grapes like jam, jelly, juice, raisins, wine or grape seed. There are predominantly three variants or colors of grapes. They are green, black or blue/red. Green is the most widely available variant. There are several benefits of eating grapes. It is beneficial for the skin, hair as well as our overall health. To know more about these benefits, please scroll down.
Health Benefits Of Grapes
1. Provides Relief From Indigestion
If you have dyspepsia, grapes can be one of the best natural remedy.[1] They provide relief from heartburn and soothe the stomach and the entire digestive track. Drink a glass of grape juice to get immediate relief from inflammation and irritation in the stomach.
2. Reduces The Risk Of Diabetes
Grapes contain a compound called pterostilbene which helps in keeping the levels of sugar in the blood lower. This helps in lowering the risk of diabetes.[2] Eat a handful of grapes everyday or drink its fresh juice. Avoid processed or packaged grape juice as they contain sugar or artificial sweeteners.
3. Lower Cholesterol Levels
Grapes are rich in polyphenols which aid in eliminating bad cholesterols.[3] Drink fresh grape juice regularly or eat them as snack. Adding grapes in your daily diet helps in reducing bad cholesterol levels in the blood.
4. Relieves Kidney Disorders
Uric acid problems and kidney disorders go hand in hand.[4] Drinking grape juice or eating them helps in lowering the affects of acidity related to uric acids. Grapes have high water content and possess diuretic properties which increase the urge to urinate.
5. Provides Relief From Constipation
Grapes have laxative properties that induce bowel movement. It contains cellulose and organic acid which makes it laxative in nature. If you are suffering from chronic constipation, add grapes to your daily diet instead of ingesting over-the-counter laxative products, as they are very effective in firming up the muscles in the abdomen and in the intestines.[5] Grapes also contain insoluble fiber, which does not break down during digestion and forms bulk and passes out as stool. As grapes regularizes the bowel movement and reduces constipation, you should avoid its intake if you are suffering from diarrhea or loose motion.
6. Beneficial For Migraines
Grape juice is an effective natural remedy for migraines, especially ripe grapes. Drink a glass of pure grape juice in the morning, empty stomach.[6] Like grapes, grape seed extract is also quite effective in providing relief from migraine pain.
7. Helps In Fighting Breast Cancer
The purple colored Concord grapes are effective in reducing the chances of breast cancer.[7] Grapes are full of antioxidant properties which help in preventing any type of cancer.
8. Antibacterial Properties
Red grapes are antiviral and antibacterial in nature which helps in safeguarding us against viral and bacterial infections.[8] They are immune boosters as well as excellent home remedies for herpes and polio. Grape juice is also effective if you have viral or bacterial infection in the stomach or digestive track. Add grapes to your regular diet to remain in good health and stay away from infections.
9. Reduces The Risk Of Asthma:
Grapes are full of medicinal and therapeutic properties which is an effective remedy for asthma as well.[9] It keeps the body hydrated which adds to the moisture content in the lungs that provides relief from asthmatic attacks. Include grapes in your diet if you are suffering from asthma or in case it runs in your family and you want to prevent it.
10. Promotes Bone Health:
Grapes make healthy and stronger bones. They are enriched with essential nutrients like iron, manganese, iron and copper which forms healthy bones and makes them stronger.[10] Regular intake of grapes can save you from bones related health issues that comes with age like osteoarthritis.
11. Lowers Fatigue:
The green and whitish grapes are a rich source of iron which helps in avoiding stress and fatigue.[11] It is also a mineral enriched fruit which keeps the body stronger and less tired. Iron deficiency in the blood causes low levels of hemoglobin which makes us weak and sluggish. If you have iron deficiency, go for green grapes instead of dark grapes. Grapes also contain sugar which provides energy to the body instantly.
12. Reduces The Symptoms Of Alzheimer’s Disease:
A type of polyphenol called Resveratrol which is found in grapes effective for Alzheimer’s disease. They aid in lowering the Alzheimer’s amyloidal-beta peptides which helps in the treatment.[12] Grapes are also good for overall health of the brain. If anyone is suffering from a neural disease which affects the brain, grapes helps in deferring its degeneration. Moreover, grapes are also beneficial for aged people who have been diagnosed with cognitive impairment.
13. Provides Safeguard Against Cataracts:
Dry grapes are full of antioxidant properties.[13] The antioxidant flavonoid which is present in it helps in healing from damages like cataracts and cancer, predominantly caused by harmful free radicals. Eat grapes or drink its fresh juice everyday to ward off the side effects of free radicals.
Skin Benefits Of Grapes
14. Protects Against Sunburn
Grapes contain powerful antioxidants which protects the skin against ultraviolet sun rays when are harmful for the skin and body.[14] Grape is watery inside which gives it natural calming properties. It soothes the skin against inflammation, redness and irritation and reduces the damages caused to the skin due to sunburn. Take a few grapes and mash them. Now apply them on the affected area. Alternatively, you can slice them and apply. Allow it to stay for half an hour and then wash off with water.
15. Corrects Uneven Skin Tone
Grapes contain polyphenols which are helpful in reducing the symptoms of uneven skin tone. It removes the patches or tanning on the skin and makes the surface of the skin even and uniform.[15] Both grape pulp and juice of freshly brewed grapes are effective in improving the skin tone. Apply it on your skin and wash off after 15 to 20 minutes and rinse off with water. Apply it once a week to get the desired result.
16. Makes Skin Soft
Grapes and especially the extracts of grape seeds help in making the skin satin soft and supple.[16] They are enriched with Vitamin E which exfoliates the skin, restores its natural moisture and make it soft like a baby’s skin. Grind grape seeds to make a coarse paste out of it and apply it on the skin. Allow it to stay on the skin for 5 minutes and then scrub it with your finger tips. This will remove all dry and dead skin cells and make it smoother and softer.
17. Reduces Blemishes And Scars
Acne and pimples are not just painful and embarrassing; they also leave behind unpleasant scars and blemishes which take a lot of time to go.[17] Due to these dark spots, our skin ceases to look spotless or flawless. Grapes can help in reducing and removing these scars and blemishes effectively. They contain Vitamin C which is acidic in nature and have skin lightening properties. Regular application of grapes on the skin makes it spotless, blemish free and imparts radiance over time.
Benefits Of Grapes To The Hair
18. Reduces Hair Loss
Hair fall is nightmare that scares most of us. It is very common during the monsoons. We also tend to lose our strands due to dandruff, pollution and Illness.[18] Grapes are an excellent hair fall remedy due to the presence of linoleic acid which aids in strengthening the hair follicles and makes them healthier and protects them from breakage. Take a cup of grapes and mash them. Now cleanse your hair and scalp and apply the mashed grapes. Wash off after 15 minutes. You can also use fresh grape juice.
19. Adds Volume
Like grapes, its seeds are also beneficial for hair. They add volume and texture to hair. Take equal amounts of grape seeds and fenugreek seeds and soak them in water overnight. Put them in a grinder and make a fine paste. Apply it on your scalp and massage for 5 minutes. Leave it on the scalp for another 5 minutes and then wash off with water.
20. Adds Shine And Luster
Dull and frizzy hair makes it look unhealthy and prone to further damage. They also affect our overall looks. On the other hand, shiny and beautiful hair is something we all desire. They enhance our looks and make us stand out even in a crowd. Grapes can help you in restoring the lost shine and sheen of your hair. Take a generous amount of black grapes and mash them. Add 2 table spoon of chickpea flour into it and mix well. Apply it thoroughly on the hair and allow it to stay for 10-15 minutes. Wash off with water.
21. Removes Dandruff
Black grapes wipe out dandruff effectively. It is a powerful antioxidant and a rich source of Vitamin E which helps in cleansing the hair and scalp and protects them from itchiness and dandruff so that your hair remains healthy.[19] Apply mashed black grapes on the scalp and massage it through the length of the hair. Wash off after 10 minutes.
