Grapes contain powerful antioxidants known as polyphenols, which may slow down or prevent many types of cancers including esophageal, lung, mouth, pharynx, endometrial, pancreatic, prostate, and colon.

There are many types of grapes, including some you may have never heard of, Concord, Moon-drop, Red-globe, Crimson, Black muscat, Dominga, Sultana, Merlot, Pinot noir, Shiraz, Riesling, etc. Here we will discuss the types which are most beneficial to our health.

1. Concord grapes also known as Vitis Labrusca grapes have a deep bluish-purple hue and are commonly enjoyed fresh as table grapes. They’re also used to make flavorful juices, jellies, jams, and baked goods.

A study conducted in 2010 found that Concord grapes inhibit angiogenesis which can promote the growth of new blood vessels to feed and metastasize a cancerous tumor. Another study found that participants who regularly consumed Concord grape juice had more white blood cells in their bloodstream which can help fight off viruses, bacteria and other foreign invaders threatening your health such as cancer cells.

These slip-skin grapes are packed with nutrients and are particularly high in the phenolic compound known as resveratrol which is found in red wine and improves heart health. This resveratrol is found in the skins of red grapes.

Apart from being a good source of manganese and vitamin C, Concord grapes have high levels of polyphenols contributing to their very dark color.

Benefits of eating Concord grapes:

a) Lowers Blood Pressure

In 2004 Biofactor published a study stating that researchers from the University of Kyunghee in Korea discovered that a group of individuals who actively drank Concord grape juice for eight weeks had a lowered blood pressure as compared to the group that was not drinking it. It was noted that this change was due to the presence of high content of polyphenols in Concord grape juice.

b) Promotes cardiovascular health

The flavonoid antioxidants in Concord grapes help minimize the damaging effects of the low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) and help support healthy, clear arteries, reducing the chances of thrombosis in the heart arteries.

Both wine and Concord grape juice are made from rich, dark, whole grapes containing polyphenols found naturally in the fruit. It appears that grape juice can help keep arteries flexible supporting healthy blood circulation throughout the body.

c) Boosts memory

An emerging area looking to be promising for promoting cognitive functioning is the effect Concord grapes have on reducing memory decline in older adults. The effects of Concord grape juice on memory are being examined and according to findings reported in the issue of “British Journal of Nutrition”, participants with mild memory decline received Concord grape juice for 12 weeks and it was found that they experienced improvements in memory.

d) Promotes a healthy immune system

Vitis Labrusca is a rich source of vitamin C and polyphenols, both of which may play a role in supporting a healthy immune system. It was found that when 100 percent Concord grape juice was fortified with vitamin C, it increased a type of immune cell—the gamma delta T cell—which sends signals to the immune system to respond.
 
Eating our recommended five fruits a day can prove to be a challenge for most of us. One way to still get the required nutrients from these fruits is by drinking at least 120 – 250ml (4 – 8 ounces) of 100 percent Concord grape juice daily.

100 percent Concord grape juice contains no additives such as sugar so it is a very healthy alternative.

The number of grams of sugar listed on the Nutrition Facts Label refers to the naturally occurring fruit’s sugars found in grapes.

Alternatively, you can also just eat a whole bunch of this tasty treat and enjoy the benefits alongside the taste.

2) Cotton Candy grapes were first produced in 2011 and have been a hit ever since. These candy-like grapes were made by hybridizing grape species to create a unique taste.

They are green and taste oddly similar to the cloud-like confectionary cotton candy.

Nonetheless, unlike traditional cotton candy, Cotton Candy grapes are packed with nutrients, such as vitamin C, fiber, and potassium, making them a smart snacking choice to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Be mindful of the fact that these grapes are slightly higher in sugar than Concord grapes due to their intense sweetness.

3) Flame Seedless a.k.a Vitis vinifera is a popular table grape variety celebrated for its delectable flavor. These medium-sized grapes grow in large clusters and have a deep red color.

They’re high in nutrients and pack numerous beneficial compounds such as the red hue of Flame Seedless comes from plant pigments called anthocyanins. Anthocyanins act as powerful antioxidants in your body, protecting your cells against damage from oxidative stress. Fact-finding showed that extracts from the skin and flesh of these grapes exhibited the strongest protection against oxidative-stress-induced cellular damage in liver tissue, compared with other grape types.

4) Dominga is a vigorous variety of table grapes with yellowish skin. They are sweet, flavorful, and high in polyphenol antioxidants.

In particular, they contain higher amounts of Flavan-3-ols than other grapes. These compounds have been shown to benefit heart health. Consuming polyphenol-rich foods like Dominga grapes may help preserve mental function and offer neuroprotective effects, as well as boosting many other aspects of health.

5) Crimson is a slightly elongated dark-pink to light red skin seedless grape, with green flesh. At its peak, it is crisp and firm with high levels of sweetness and an attractive flavor.

This variety was introduced in 1989 after being created by plant breeders. Similar to other red grapes, Crimson grapes are packed with anthocyanins, which give these fruits their beautiful color and also contribute to their health benefits such as the reduced risk of a heart attack.

6) Black Muscat botanically known as Vitis vinifera are large bluish-black grapes that give off a pleasant floral aroma. They are thought to have been created in the 1800s by hybridizing Muscat of Alexandria and Trollinger grapes.

They’re versatile and enjoyed fresh as table grapes while also used for making several types of wine, including dessert wines and dry red wines.

Studies suggest that Black Muscat has the highest levels of various bioactive compounds, such as alpha-tocopherol, beta carotene, and monoterpenols, which may benefit health including skin and hair. These chemical compounds help protect our cells from damage and against diseases like cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and heart disease. They also help us heal from illness faster by boosting our immune system.

7) Kyoho botanically a member of the Vitaceae family are similar to Concord grapes, Kyoho grapes have a deep blackish-purple or almost black color with large seeds. They were created by crossing Centennial grapes with a variety known as Ishiharawase and have been the most popularly cultivated variety in Japan since 1994.

Their thick skin surrounds juicy, flavorful flesh that has an intensely sweet flavor. Kyohos are very large, and a single grape can weigh as much as 0.5 ounces (14 grams). Kyoho grapes are packed with beneficial plant compounds including anthocyanins, minerals, and essential nutrients such as Vitamin C. One study investigating the anthocyanin content of Kyoho grapes identified 23 types of anthocyanins in the skin alone.

That is all for today, if you were looking for a sign to eat a grape or a bunch, then I have just given you one.

Stay safe, and, remember to MASK UP!