Grapes! For the Health of It!

Grapes are a wonderful, tasty snack that just about everyone enjoys.  It’s hard to decide what’s best about them! Whether their delicious flavor, versatility, or tremendous health benefits, grapes are a winning choice when it comes to healthy foods!  

Opinions are divided regarding the benefits of wine for health.  Some studies have shown that light alcohol consumption can have positive effects in reducing the risk of heart disease. This is because red wine is similar to aspirin in that it may reduce the blood’s ability to clot.  It also contains some antioxidants.  To support your health, a six ounce glass of wine per day is optimum.  More is detrimental. So, of course, some doctors do not recommend alcohol at all because of the possibility of abuse.

If you are concerned about your ability to keep your consumption of wine at a one small glass a day level, or if you have a personal or family history of alcohol abuse, heart disease, or liver problems, you should not drink wine for health. You may be surprised to know that it is really not necessary.  Happily, you can reap the same benefits from drinking pure grape juice - that is grape juice without added sugar or sweeteners.  

The reason that red wine can be beneficial actually has nothing to do with the alcohol.  The benefit comes from a substance called resveratrol that is found in the skin and seeds of grapes.  There is more in the skins of dark red and purple grapes than in those of green grapes.  So resveratrol can be found in dark grape juice and also in grapeseed oil.

Quite a few recent studies have shown that dark grape juice can provide the very same heart healthy benefits that have been found in red wine.  These include a reduced risk of blood clots, a reduction of LDL (low-density lipoprotein), prevention of damage to the heart and blood vessels, and the maintenance of a healthy blood pressure level.    

You will also find flavonoids in grape juice, just as in red wine.  Flavonoids are  antioxidants that can increase HDL (high-density lipoprotein).  This is the good cholesterol that helps to lower the risk of clogged arteries.  It may also help to lower blood pressure.  So if you want to reap the benefits of drinking red wine without consuming alcohol, just enjoy dark grape juice instead.

Copyright: SuzanneBennett: February 11, 2009