Amazing grapes

CEBU, Philippines - Over time, grapes have become a staple in every New Year fruit basket. This might probably be because they fit the bill of being among the round-ish fruits that one must gather to complete the magic circle of 13. This might also be because in the entire slew of fruits that are available for our taking, grapes are teeming with so much healthy goodness, it’s just a sin to leave them out in our commitment to once and for all dedicate our new year to the pursuit of good health.

I admit to not being the biggest grape fan in the past thanks to that God forsaken grape-flavored colds medicine my mother always forced me to take. Believe me, it left the worst aftertaste. It wasn’t until I started to indulge in the natural variety that I started to gain a greater appreciation for grapes.

There are three kinds of grapes, mind you. The kind of grapes that are eaten off hand or are used in the recipe are otherwise known as table grapes. The ones which are harvested for the purpose of viniculture or wine making are wine grapes. Meanwhile, the kind that’s set to dry up before being served are called raisin grapes (my personal favorite).

According to whfoods.com, over a hundred research studies on grapes attribute the grapes’ health benefits to three key polyphenols or antioxidants, a category of phytonutrients: flavanoids, phenolic acids, and resveratrol. And guess what? These three are concentrated in the stems and skins—and not in the juicy middle part as most of us have come to believe.

Grapes are good for you for four key reasons:

1. It stumps aging

Certain antioxidants found in grapes like resveratrol trigger enzymes in the body that slow down the aging process and extend one’s lifespan up to 70 percent. Resveratrol also has the keen ability of influencing genes that have everything to do with growing old, apart from it being able to prevent certain cancers and brain illnesses.

“Grapes can contribute to reducing the risk of loss of eyesight (a major problem among the elderly). By increasing grapes intake we can reduce the risk of macular degeneration (the main cause of vision loss) by 30-40 percent,” said PerfectShape.com, an authority on health and wellness.

2. It keeps the heart beating

If there’s one thing that grapes are famous for, it’s that they keep the heart healthy and they keep heart diseases at bay. Well, except for matters that have everything to do with a broken heart. 

Numerous studies have been dedicated solely for this topic of which, the famous French Paradox was built upon. What is the French Paradox? Well, it’s as simple as the fact that the French have an affinity for smoking and drinking apart from their inherent love for lard, butter, and all things fat. However, the French suffer less cases of heart attack and heart diseases compared to their American counterparts. In fact, French women, are even more svelte than their counterparts who considerably have a diet less in booze, smoke, and fat. Their secret? Grapes. The French balanced off this unhealthy lifestyle by drinking red wine after every meal. 

Following the French Paradox discovery, hundreds of studies more were conducted just to prove that indeed, red wine and grape juice had the power to lower risks of heart diseases.

Coronary heart disease, a major problem for people who have already made it to the golden year mark, happen when plaque accumulations build up around the artery walls and keep blood vessels from passing through to supply blood for the heart and the brain. This is the main cause of strokes and heart attacks which can be lethal.

In a study by the Journal of Nutrition, the antioxidants found in grapes like saponins, resveratrol, pterostilbene, and alpha-tocopherol are not only able to protect the artery walls from damaging fatty accumulations but these are also able to increase blood anti-oxidant activity by 50 percent.

3. It prevents certain cancers

If and when our body needs amo in fighting off those hideous cancer cells, it can definitely count on grapes—red grapes, for that matter.

Rich in bioflavanoids which help the body absorb Vitamin C, we can count on this type of vitamin to keep our tissues holding on strong. Bioflavanoids also give our cells extra fighting power to trump cancer cells and keep them from spreading. 

4. It posts a no-entry sign for viruses

Staph and E.coli, keep out. A research in Erciyes University in Turkey has proven that grapes have a powerful antimicrobial action that will keep viruses from our bodies. Staph and E.coli are just among the vicious few. Staph, for example, causes skin diseases similar to skin ulcers, pus pockets, and even impetigo which can definitely ruin a rocking complexion. 

Grapes, which are also high in tannin, prevent tumors from developing especially one they are absorbed in the intestinal tracts.

Forget the hard liquor and the beer. Instead, retreat to a healthier alternative for that toast to good health. Cheers!

Sources: the-perfectshape. com; organicfacts. com