Grapes

Antimicrobial

Red and black grapes are strong antimicrobials. Research has shown that they are effective against the herpes simplex virus. They are also a good choice when fighting bacterial infections, especially in the digestive system. They also contain high levels of the vitamins, A, C, and K. which boost your immune system and help prevent viral infections. (2) (3)

Cancer

Like the other berries, grapes are little balls of Mother Nature’s medicine. They contain two primary flavonoids that are active cancer fighters, resveratrol and quercetin. Both are strong antioxidants that help control the free radicals that stimulate cancer growth. Grape seeds contain a special group of flavonoids called proanthocyanidins. Grapes also contain many other phytonutrients that probably contribute to grape’s anticancer properties.

The phytonutrients in grapes also have anti-inflammatory properties. Since inflammation plays a role in the initiation of cancer tumors, grapes help prevent cancer.

As might be expected, cancer studies using grapes or grape-derived chemicals in human trials are few and far between. However, there have been a few such studies done on animals or in vitro, and there are new studies in progress. One in vitro and animal study done by Ram Prasad, Mudit Vaid, and Santosh K. Katiyar at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and published on the internet site, Plos One showed the Proanthocyanidins in grape seed inhibited cancer cell growth and caused natural apoptosis of pancreatic tumor cells. Other studies have shown grapes protect against esophageal, lung, mouth, pharynx, endometrial, prostate, and colon cancers. (5) (6)

Perhaps the most impressive cancer study using grapes tested the ability of concord grape juice to control breast cancer. Researchers found that the phytonutrients in the juice prevent aromatase from changing androgen to estrogen. Scientists believe excess estrogen is a major cause of breast cancer. Lab rats experienced major reduction in tumor size. (7)

Dementia

Another area of recent grape research is in the prevention and control of dementia, especially Alzheimer’s disease. In a 2011 study at Mount Sinai School of Medicine researchers found that grape seed polyphenolic extracts administered to mice substantially reduced neurotoxins known to promote Alzheimer’s disease. Another study done in India and published online by the National Center for Biotechnology Information in 2012 found that, “… learning and memory in STZ-group decreased significantly compared to Sham group. However, intake of red grape juice increased speed of learning and improvement of memory in Alzheimer’s rats.” (8)

Cardiovascular Benefits

Insufficient potassium intake is a common problem in America. The Institute of Medicine’s Food and Nutrition Board’s recommended daily intake is 4700 milligrams, but a research study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that only 2 percent of Americans reached that level. One study found that a high potassium intake results in a twenty percent decrease in death from all causes.

The high concentrations of potassium in grapes promote heart health, help control blood pressure, and reduce the risk of stroke. Also, resveratrol and quercetin, the two flavonoids in grapes that are best known, help the liver remove toxins from the blood and reduce platelet clumping.

The antioxidant properties of grapes help prevent platlet buildup in the arteries and help regulate blood pressure. Pterostilbene, a close relative of resveratrol helps balance cholesterol levels by promoting healthy vessels and arteries. (9)

Additional Health Benefits of Grapes

The potassium in grapes also helps maintain the chemicals that promote nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction. protects against loss of muscle mass and bone density, and helps to prevent kidney stones.

The antioxidant flavonoids in grapes have anti-aging properties that prevent macular degeneration and cataracts. They also help reduce wrinkles.