Vision and memory will become stronger, and the mood will be higher. But healthy grapes also have a dark side.

A quarter of the daily value of vitamin C, almost a third of the daily value of vitamin K, and also a decent dose of B vitamins, fiber, potassium, copper – that’s what you get by eating 15-20 grapes (about 150 g). But this is far from all the benefits that juicy berries bring to the body.

What are the benefits of grapes

1. Helps to maintain youth
   Grapes contain a huge amount of flavonoids
   and other antioxidants. According to some information, there are over 1,500 of them!

The main job of all these nutrients is to fight free radicals that damage the molecules of organs and tissues, causing mutations and accelerated aging. That is, when you eat grapes, you help the body stay young longer.

To get the maximum antioxidants, eat grapes with skins and seeds. And give preference to varieties of black and red.

2. Grapes reduce the risk of chronic diseases
   Oxidative stress often triggers the development of diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, or brain dysfunctions. Antioxidants reduce the number of free radicals and help repair damaged cells. This means that the use of grapes is a good prevention of many dangerous diseases.
3. It protects against cancer
   The antioxidant resveratrol, found in grapes, has been shown to block the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body. This is especially true for oncology:

Some studies show that to get an obvious anti-cancer effect, it is enough to eat 150-450 grams of grapes per day.

4. Lowers the level of “bad” cholesterol
   This effect was established when using berries of red and black varieties.
5. Grapes can lower blood sugar
   It sounds a little paradoxical, because everyone knows that grapes are a sweet product, literally bursting with glucose. But the amount of sugar in berries is not the main indicator. The glycemic index (GI) is much more significant.

It shows how strongly a particular food increases blood sugar levels. So, grapes have a glycemic index even lower than boiled rice, jacket potatoes or oatmeal cookies.

Moreover, due to the compounds it contains, grapes even reduce the amount of glucose in the blood. For example, the same antioxidant resveratrol increases the body’s sensitivity to insulin, that is, it helps cells to more actively absorb sugar.

Therefore, grapes are a good way to protect against high blood sugar levels.

6. Strengthens vision
   There are studies showing that grapes can reduce the risk of diseases such as:

In addition, there is evidence that eating sweet berries reduces UV damage to the retina. Therefore, grapes should be categorically included in the diet during periods when the sun is especially aggressive.

7. It can improve memory, attention and mood
   There is little scientific evidence on this topic, but what is available seems promising.

For example, in one study, 20 young people took attentiveness tests and told scientists about their mood. Then a glass (230 ml) of red grape juice was drunk and tested again. Result: The juice of these berries significantly improved memory and concentration. And as a bonus, it calmed and improved the mood.

Experiments on rats also look curious. The animals, however, were fed not with berries, but with the “grape” antioxidant resveratrol. Four weeks after the start of the study, it was found that blood circulation in the rat’s brains was significantly improved, and the tailed beasts themselves became more alert and learnable.

It is believed that resveratrol in grapes may protect against age-related changes in the brain: dementia and, in particular, Alzheimer’s disease. But human studies are lacking to support this.

8. Grapes prolong life
   The main thing here is resveratrol again. Among other things, this antioxidant stimulates the production of sirtuin proteins in the body, which scientists have associated with longevity.

When and to whom grapes are harmful
In general, grapes are not only healthy but also safe. For almost everyone – with rare exceptions.

Doctors still recommend not to eat berries or limit their number: