Ten Health Benefits of Eating Grapes

This is the post for the letter G of the A2Z writing challenge lasting April month, for F here.

This post describes the following aspects of grapes:

• Introduction and a Peek into History
• Did you know
• Grapes in South Africa
• Health Benefits
• Me and Grapes.
• Conclusion

Introduction and Peek into History

Grapes are fleshy rounded small fruits growing in clusters, in greenish, yellowish, and purple colours.  They are produced into vines, dried fruits, and table fresh.

Based on what I read, grape culture or viticulture is as old as civilization.  Humans were growing the berry from as early as 7000 BC.  By 4000 BC, it spread to Asia Minor and through Egypt's Nile Delta.  The Hittites are credited for spreading grape growing westward as they migrated to Crete and the neighbouring areas as early as 3000 BC.  Later, the Greeks and Phoenicians spread the grape culture to the nations in Southern Europe, Span, Italy, Sicily, Span and France.  And colonialism sparked its spread further to colonies. 

The three primary uses of grapes are vine production, dried fruits, and fresh munching.  

Did you know?

The native grapes grown in North America have a 'foxy or 'animal den' smell, so when the grape farmers later developed the French American hybrids of better resistance and cold hardiness, they avoided using this native parent, preventing it from passing on its 'foxy' flavour to them.  

There are 8000 grape varieties from 60 species. 

 Grapes, a Product of South Africa.

 

The story of grape farming in South Africa is as old as its colonial history.  Grape farming was introduced in South Africa in 1659, just after the Dutch East India Company established its supply station in Cape Town, South Africa.  

South Africa is a significant player in the "global wine industry and produces a range of vines from light table and full-bodied red wines to Methode Champenoise Port-wine style wines."

Health Benefits

Nutrients 

• One cup of red or green grapes contains the following:
• Calories: 104
• Protein: 1gram
• Fat: 0,2 grams.
• Fibre: 1,4 grams
• Copper: 21 % of the Daily Value (DV)
• Vitamin K: 18% of the DV
• Thiamine (Vitamin) B1: 9% of the DV
• Riboflavin Vitamin) B2: 8% of the DV
• Vitamin B6: 8% of the DV
• Potassium: 6% of the DV
• Manganese: 5% of the DV
• Vitamin C 5% of the DV
• Vitamin E:  5% of the DV

Benefits:

1. It May aid heart health.

• Reduce Blood Pressure.
• Help lower cholesterol

2.  High in Antioxidants.

3.  It May help against diabetics and may help improve your body's ability to use insulin.

4.  It may help to improve your eye health.

5.   It May help improve your memory, attention, and mood.

6.  May support born health.

7.  It May help to slow down ageing and promote longevity.

8, It May have anti-cancer effects.

9.  Protect against Bacteria and fungus.

10.  It may help to improve hair and skin health.

 Me and Grapes.

I was familiar with the dry product of grapes, the raisins, used in medicines, and fresh fruits rarely for functions of weddings and farewells.  My father was an Ayurvedic physician, and when medicine manufacturing, sickness diagnosis and medicine prescription centred around the physician, I remember he kept a substantial stock of dried raisins.  It was used in all elixirs he prepared using fermentation.   

 Conclusion:

Have you heard about Ayurveda, India's ancient indigenous health science, and its uses? 

This blog is for the letter G in the series of my A2Z blog posts, lasting for the entire month and is part of the A2Z Blog chatter challenge.  To read earlier posts, click on these letters.  A B C D E F

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