The Health Benefits of Grapes

If you have not been eating you daily portion of grapes then you have been missing out on one of the best health foods on the planet. Grapes have so many vitamins and other nutrients that are designed to keep you in the best health possible. Most of us will reach for the bag of potato chips or the chocolate chip cookies when we get hungry. Instead try a handful of grapes and you will be glad you did. Some of the health benefits of grapes include the ability to fight off ailments such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.

We all know how beneficial vitamin A is for our eyes, well as it turns out, grapes are an excellent source. Vitamin A helps to wipe out night blindness which is caused by a deficiency. You can keep your vision in tip top shape by consuming vitamin A. It also helps the immune system fight infections. This vitamin is good for bone growth and assists with the proper efficient operation of the surface of the intestinal tract. Grapes are an abundant source of Vitamin C which is an anti-oxidant and it fights off free radicals.

It also turns out that grapes are a great source of Vitamin B6 as well as other nutrients and minerals like iron, magnesium, calcium and potassium.

If you have not been getting enough fiber and protein then grab some grapes because they are also an excellent source.

Grapes have very powerful anti-oxidants called flavonoids. They are responsible for stopping age-related diseases from getting started and they help fight against cancer. Studies have shown that grapes can stave off cancer, cardiovascular disease, and atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is when your arteries become clogged with cholesterol and calcium. If your arteries are clogged then the blood cannot flow smoothly. If blood is not able to travel to your heart it becomes deprived of oxygen and the heart can become damaged. This can also lead to heart disease and heart attacks. If blood is not allowed to flow to the brain the end result is a stroke. You can probably begin to see how beneficial grapes are.

Grapes have chemicals that help fight the development of diabetes. They also help to lower cholesterol which is a fatty substance responsible for clogging arteries. The chemicals in grapes stop cholesterol from being absorbed into the body and they prevent inflammation.

Drinking grape juice also increases the nitric oxide which is responsible for stopping the formation of blood clots. Grapes have a wealth of health benefits for the heart.

Source: http://www.the-perfectshape.com/2007/09/15/best-4-health-benefits-of-grapes/

Source: http://www.googobits.com/articles/p2-1213-not-your-average-snack-reach-for-the-health-benefits-of-grapes-when-hunger-hits.html