Why grapes are useful for the body, properties and contraindications

Grapes are the oldest culture, the benefits of which have been known to human civilization since the time of Ancient Egypt. References to the sun vine are often found in myths and works of art. To this day, it remains very popular because of its benefits and excellent taste. There are more than 10 thousand plant species in the world. The benefits and harms of grapes are well known to medicine and are widely used in medical practice.

The chemical composition and calorie content of grapes

Depending on the species, the chemical content and medicinal properties of the grapes vary. Grapes with seeds are considered more useful. It has a higher concentration of anthocyanins - substances that protect the body from oxidation by free radicals.

The product contains sugars (up to 20%), a large list of useful organic acids, calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron salts, as well as double salts of the same elements. In addition, grapes contain tanning, pectin and coloring compounds, quercetin, enin, mono- and didelfinidin glycosides, vitamins A, B1, B2, C.

There is such a term as "ampelotherapy". It means treatment with grapes, in which not only the fruits of the plant are involved, but also the leaves, wood and everything that can be obtained from the bush. The beneficial properties of grapes for the human body are also found in the leaves of the plant, where sugars, acids (tartaric and protocatechinic), tannins, inositol, quercetin, carotene, choline, betaine, and aloxuric bases are present.

The health benefits of grapes

The benefits of bunches in improving metabolism, diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects. Increase the secretion of mucus in the airways and facilitate expectoration. They have benefits for humans in the form of a mild laxative and diaphoretic effect. The healing properties of dried grapes include a tonic, laxative, hematopoietic, choleretic and anti-inflammatory effect.

The benefits of the leaves in regulating blood pressure, normalizing metabolism, stimulating appetite, possessing antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, wound healing and other beneficial properties. Alcohol, hot extracts and other forms of drugs are prepared.

Why grapes are useful for women

Grapes contain useful substances - antioxidants.These are flavonoids and resveratrol phytoncide, which prevent the natural withering of the body, help to maintain health and youth for a long time.

The benefits of grapes for a woman's body lie in its anti-aging properties, which are used for the manufacture of daily and medical cosmetics. The most valuable is grape seed oil, which is simply replete with useful elements necessary to maintain the health of hair, skin, nails.

They contain phytoestrogens, which can partially replace the lack of female hormones during menopause and help a woman survive this difficult period. The benefits of grapes are manifested in increased sexual desire. A high concentration of glucose increases energy, good mood and prevents depression from developing.

Why grapes are useful for men

Grapes contain sugars, represented by glucose (8 g) and fructose (8 g). These substances give energy, improve the functioning of the brain. The benefits of grapes for a man's body lies in a high concentration of boron, which helps to maintain sexual function as long as possible.

Grapes have an expectorant effect, which benefits those members of the stronger sex who suffer from chronic bronchitis of a smoker or have had a cold. In folk medicine, a decoction of raisins with a small amount of onion juice is used as a good remedy for coughing and hoarseness.

The benefits of grapes are in anti-toxic properties. It is recommended for poisoning with strychnine, cocaine, morphine, arsenic, sodium nitrate, as well as for skin diseases. It is useful to give it in case of alcohol intoxication. The high content of glucose in fruits helps to stimulate the heart muscle, and potassium salts compensate for the deficiency of the element: as you know, large doses of alcohol wash it out.

Can you eat grapes

Despite all the usefulness of the fruit, there are times when they can be harmful. Especially if you eat your favorite delicacy in excessive quantities.

During pregnancy

During pregnancy, for the benefit of the unborn child, it is not recommended to abuse grapes, as this can cause harm. A large amount of glucose enters the bloodstream and goes into the baby's diet. It is highly likely that he will appear with a lot of weight, it can be harmful. Labor will be complicated or other problems will arise.

In small amounts, grapes are beneficial for pregnant women. It contains organic acids that prevent the development of toxicosis, relieve an attack of nausea. In addition, during the development of the fetus, the water balance in the body is disturbed, the blood becomes viscous, which creates the danger of creating a blood clot or brings other harm. Grapes contain nicotinic acid, which strengthens blood vessels, gives them elasticity, thinns the blood and exhibits other beneficial properties.

In the last stages of pregnancy, many mothers suffer from edema. Grapes provide invaluable benefits - gently removes excess fluid from the body, restores a woman's health. The load on the urinary system of the expectant mother also increases. Grapes contain useful elements that have a diuretic effect and improve kidney function.

When breastfeeding

Healthy grapes for nursing mothers can be included in their diet, but not right away. When the child turns 3 or more months old, a woman can gradually feast on the bunches. In this case, you need to carefully monitor the baby's reaction so as not to miss the possible harm from the use of grapes - useful, but capable of causing unforeseen complications. If you experience colic in the abdomen or suspicious rashes, you should immediately stop taking the berries inside.

With diabetes mellitus

Grapes contain the beneficial substance phytosterol. This is a cholesterol-like compound that, unlike its counterpart, does not integrate into the vascular system and, thus, is able to some extent protect against the development of atherosclerosis. As you know, with diabetes mellitus primarily affects the heart and circulatory system, vascular diseases develop.

However, due to the large amount of glucose in the fruits, diabetic patients need to strictly limit the amount of grapes so as not to harm themselves. Excess sugar leads to high blood glucose levels. These properties, in turn, affect the damage to the walls of blood vessels, which negatively affects the work of the pancreas - to the threat of developing a diabetic coma.

When losing weight

Grapes, more than other fruits and berries, contain natural sugars (20 g / 100 g), which does not bring much benefit. If every day you allow yourself this, at first glance, a useful delicacy, then you can very quickly gain excess weight. The carbohydrates that make up the fruits are represented mainly by monosaccharides. These are substances that are very quickly and easily absorbed, and are also easily deposited in fat, which can hardly be called useful.

But, for example, dried grape seeds are an excellent remedy for cellulite. Problematic areas are rubbed with a handful of dry bones, which literally erase old, dead skin scales, thereby contributing to its rejuvenation and increased blood circulation in the subcutaneous layer.

A useful infusion of grape leaves removes toxins and is successfully used against cellulite. To this end, 30-40 g of leaves are poured with a liter of boiling water and allowed to brew for twenty minutes. Drink in small portions throughout the day.

At what age can grapes be given to children

Up to 4 months of age, newborn babies benefit only from breast milk. Then complementary foods and juices are introduced, starting with 2 - 3 drops, but in no case - fruits and berries. From 4 months, the pancreas begins to produce more complex enzymes and other useful substances. The first products should be used as juices. The nectar of exotic fruits is introduced into the diet of children from 1 year old and later. It is better to give grape juice and fruits to a baby from 2 or 3 years of age to avoid possible harm.

For small children, several types of grapes are allowed that do not contain seeds inside. Before taking the berries, be sure to remove the skin, which can provoke harm to immature organs. They give one grape for the sample and make sure that the baby chews it well. Parents offer a new fruit in the first days in the amount of 2 - 4 berries, observing the reaction of the child's body. If, after taking grapes, the baby is given carbonated water, fermented milk products, this can be harmful.

Useful properties of different grape varieties

Grapes contain a lot of anthocyanins. These are extremely useful substances that prevent the action of carcinogens and protect us from various diseases. But most of all anthocyanins in grapes with seeds are the most useful for humans, as it prevents the development of oncology and other disorders in the body.

Black and blue

Noble red wines are made from dark grapes, which are known for their unique medicinal properties and unsurpassed taste. The benefits and harms of blue grapes lie in its biochemical composition, which is simply striking in its biochemical diversity. It found about three hundred different compounds that have a deep and comprehensive beneficial effect:

• maintaining and improving visual function;
• cleansing the blood and the body as a whole from slagging;
• preventing the development of thrombosis;
• maintaining the condition and work of the heart, blood vessels;
• strengthening the nervous system;
• regulating the course of digestive processes;
• much more.

The benefits for the body of black grapes are due to the presence of the substance pterostilbene in it. Similar to resveratrol, it is a powerful antioxidant that has anti-cancer properties and lowers blood lipids and cholesterol. Pterostilbene is also found in blueberries. It does not go into wine, as it decomposes in the light and in the presence of oxygen it loses its beneficial properties.

Green

Grapes have the same properties as other types. In addition, beneficial bunches are simply necessary for women's health by their ability to prevent the appearance of breast tumors due to the presence of plant dyes and protoanthocyanidins in their composition.

The benefits of green grapes are due to the presence of catechins in them. These organic compounds take part in the metabolism, increase immunity, strengthen the capillary network, and also prevent the appearance of cancerous growths, cholesterol plaques and the development of pathogenic microflora in the oral cavity and digestive tract.

Red

Only in this form contains useful substances polyphenols, which stop age-related aging, renew liver tissue, improve blood pressure. Light grapes do not contain these nutrients. In addition, they help prevent anemia, have an exceptional effect on the digestive processes, and have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

White

It has an attractive appearance and a varied flavor palette. The benefits of white grapes are low in calories and rich in chemical composition. For example, Ladies' fingers are very popular with gourmets. Useful white varieties are divided into dining and technical. The latter include Muscat, Riesling, Aligote, and others. The wine made from them has a similar name.

Muscat

White nutmeg contains almost the entire group of useful B vitamins, which actively affects the state of the nervous and other systems of the body, as well as a high concentration of antioxidants that rejuvenate a person and postpone the natural processes of aging and cancer.

The benefits of Muscat-type pink grapes are in a more pleasant subtle aroma than the white variety. It is also of great value for winemaking, as it has a high yield and endurance. High quality healthy wines are made from it. The bunches are diuretic and help to avoid the formation of stones. But at the same time, they do not reduce the reserves of potassium in the body, since they contain a lot of this substance in their composition.

Kishmish

Seedless grapes are often given to children. It is easier to eat, moreover, it rarely gives an allergic reaction, causing diathesis in babies. Perhaps the properties of kish-mish grapes are not as useful as those of dark or seedless species, but they are also rich in unique vitamins, minerals and other contents.

Kish-mish will be useful to give during the recovery period after food poisoning, as well as to children. Its skin is thin, easy to chew. Although it contains less resveratrol than dark varieties, it contains more vitamin C and chlorophyll.

Recommendations for the use of grapes

The benefits and harms of grapes for human health have long been controversial among scientists, doctors and ordinary people. On the one hand, this is a product with a useful chemical composition, unique taste, on the other hand, a huge amount of sugar, which destroys blood vessels and other organs, carries the risk of developing many diseases.

The bunches contain a high concentration of sugars and organic acids, which can be harmful to humans. Substances act on the surface of the teeth and cause demineralization, destroying enamel and causing the development of a carious process. Therefore, after eating grapes, you must rinse your mouth. A few sips of tea are enough to protect your teeth from negative effects and harm.

Grapes are known to contain organic acids. Products with such a composition are undesirable to use for gastritis, so as not to harm yourself. But there are not so many of these substances in the fruits. Therefore, if you consume grapes in reasonable quantities, it will not hurt the sick.

How many grapes can you eat per day

Grapes can be eaten every day. This is an extremely useful product that brings enormous benefits to humans. But due to the high content of natural sugar, you should still follow some restrictions so as not to get harmed from such a wonderful product. The most optimal amount for an adult is two hundred grams per day. Someone eats healthy berries more than the norm - and nothing: it all depends on the individual characteristics of the body.

Is it possible to eat grapes at night

If you consume grapes at night, there will be little benefit. The high carbohydrate content creates the danger that the excess will translate into extra grams, and then kilograms. And it will harm the figure. In addition, the product has beneficial diuretic and laxative properties, induces fermentation in the digestive tract, which can lead to nighttime awakenings, and as a result, persistent sleep disturbances.

How to Eat More Benefits of Grapes

For adults, it is better to eat fruits together with the peel, which has extremely beneficial properties. It has the highest concentration of antioxidants - substances that postpone biological aging of the body several years ago, prevent the development of many diseases, including very serious ones: such as diabetes, cancer.

It is better to eat grapes in between meals, one hour before a meal, or in the same interval after the end. So the whole useful mineral and vitamin reserve of fruits will be digested and assimilated more fully, a feeling of heaviness in the stomach will not be created.

It is advisable to eat in the morning. The beneficial organic acids contained in the bunches will wake up digestion, and the glucose will energize the whole day. In the afternoon, metabolism slows down, a person's activity decreases, energy costs fall. Consequently, excess glucose accumulates in the body in the form of folds on the body, which is not useful for any person.

The use of grapes in cosmetology

In cosmetics, the juice of unripe grapes is widely used, thanks to its tonic effect on the skin. It is impregnated with a layer of tissue and placed on cleansed skin. They hold for a while, and then wash off, finishing the procedure with applying a nourishing cream.

To get rid of dandruff, 20 - 25 g of the ash obtained from the vine is stirred in a glass of vodka. The resulting solution is rubbed into the hair after sunset every day for 3 - 5 minutes for 7 - 10 days. When cold sores appear on the lips, it will be useful to immediately attach half a grape to it. The ugly bubble will disappear before our eyes.

Harm of grapes and contraindications for use

It is not recommended for people with a history of diabetes mellitus, chronic colitis, gastrointestinal ulcers to eat grapes in large quantities. You can not use it a lot and those who have problems with the gallbladder. The harmful properties of grapes include a high concentration of glucose, which tends to prevent the release of bile and interfere with the work of many internal organs.

There is little vitamin C in the bunches, so it is better to make up for its deficiency from other vegetables or fruits.For example, the leader in the content of this substance is bell pepper. Nor does it protect grapes from anemia. It contains almost no iron and vitamin B12, which are necessary, first of all, for anemia. Grapes are often harmful to children, who do not like to chew food well and swallow the berries whole. They get stuck in the airways and block the flow of oxygen.

Dried grapes, which are 60% sugar, are not very useful. In addition, questions arise about the technology of its preparation. Like all dried fruits, raisins are treated with sulfur dioxide. This prevents damage to the product and maintains its presentation. For some, especially allergy sufferers and asthmatics, this preservative, known as E202, can be harmful as well as harmful.

How to choose grapes when buying

Before choosing one or another grape, you need to taste it. You should pay close attention to external signs that can tell a lot to the buyer:

• the tail should be green;
• the place where the berry is attached to the stem should not be soft and dry, as this means that the grapes are not fresh;
• you should not chase very sweet fruits. The acidity means that the load on the pancreas will be significantly less;
• properties of dark grapes are richer and healthier.

You should not try unwashed grapes, as customers often do in the bazaar. In the process of transportation, they are treated with chemical compounds that are often toxic to our body. Therefore, when choosing grapes, it is better to give preference to domestic varieties, since imported ones are treated with preservatives that extend the shelf life of the product.

How to store grapes

The beneficial properties of black grapes and other species will be maximally preserved if the product is placed in a dark, cold place. Place a clean, dry cloth on a plate and place the bunches on top. Cover with a layer of cloth and place the dish on the lower shelf in the refrigerator. Before use, rinse the bunches in salted water, and then in warm running water. This way you can protect yourself from pesticides and fertilizers.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of grapes do not allow it to be classified as absolutely healthy food. The abundance of sugar, which leads to obesity and the risk of cancer, requires limiting the intake of grapes, even for healthy people.