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Health Benefits of GrapesThe questions of what are the health benefits of grapes has not really been asked until recent evidence that the benefits found from drinking red wine are also available from grapes, grape juice, and other dark berries. The antioxidants found in grapes are showing great promise in the fight against cardiovascular disease, cancer, age-associated disorders, and other illnesses and symptoms. ResveratrolResveratrol is a natural antioxidant that has been linked to reduced risk of cancer (especially liver, lung, breast and prostate cancer),and is helpful in preventing arterial wall damage, heart disease, and brain diseases like Alzheimer's. According to Harvard Medical School studies, resveratrol may influence DNA to activate enzymes that slow aging. Resveratrol can contribute to reducing the risk of macular degeneration (a common cause of blindness) in the elderly. Eating 3 servings of fruit high in this important compound every day can reduce the risk of macular degeneration by 30-40%. PterostilbeneGrapes contain a compound called pterostilbene. In an important study presented by Agnes Rimando, PhD, of the U.S. Department of Agricultureís National Products Utilization Research Center National at the meeting of the American Chemical Society, Dr. Rimando shared that the pterostilbene in grapes appears to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides as well as some prescription drugs. Caffeic AcidGrapes contain high levels of caffeic acid, a very strong cancer fighting substance. Anti-bacterial EffectsScientists at Erciyes University in Turkey discovered that grapes have a strong antimicrobial power similar to what is seen in cranberries. Like cranberries, this activity seems to work well in preventing Staph and E. coli bacteria from developing stable colonies. Benefits of Grape Seed ExtractGrape seed extract is available as a supplement in most health food stores and pharmacies. Many of the health benefits attributed to red/purple grapes are due to the pigments that are concentrated largely in the skin and seeds, which have about 100 times higher level than the pulp of the grape.
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