Grapes and grape products include red, green, and purple grapes, seedless grapes, grape jelly, jam and juice, raisins, currents, sultanas, and wine.
People produce around 75 millionTrusted Source tons of grapes each year worldwide, around half of which goes into wine production. This popular fruit is rich in polyphenols, which may offer certain health benefits.
This article explains the main benefits of grapes, including nutrition and tips for including grapes in the diet.
A 2021 reviewTrusted Source highlights that people have been eating and using grapes for as many as 6,000 years. Throughout history, people have believed grapes contain healing properties.
ResearchTrusted Source associates a diet rich in fruits and vegetables with a lower risk of certain conditions, such as:
heart disease
diabetes
cancer
obesity
Like other fruits and vegetables, grapes are a good source of fiber and water. They containTrusted Source antioxidants and other bioactive compounds that can benefit health, although more research is necessary to confirm some of these benefits.
1) Slowing or preventing cancer
Grapes contain polyphenols, which predominantly occur the skin and seeds of grapes.
A 2022 paperTrusted Source
suggests proanthocyanidins, a type of polyphenol, may protect against the following types of cancer:
liver
bladder
prostate
cervical
Resveratrol is another type of polyphenol, mainly found in red grape skins. According to a 2023 reviewTrusted Source, resveratrol can block all stages of cancer formation, among other benefits.
Resveratrol is also present in red wine. Some research in the 2023 review suggested red wine may have benefits such as reducing colorectal cancer risk. However, more research, particularly studies involving humans, is necessary to explore this.
According to a 2023 systematic reviewTrusted Source, moderate red wine consumption may have a beneficial effect on certain cancers, such as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and breast cancer.
However, the review’s authors highlight that higher levels of red wine consumption may cause adverse effects.
The Dietary Guidelines for AmericansTrusted Source define a moderate intake as up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.
2) Protecting heart health
ResearchTrusted Source suggests the bioactive compounds in grapes can help to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease.
A 2021 systematic reviewTrusted Source and meta-analysis concludes that supplementing grape seed extract into the diet may benefit people who are at risk of cardiovascular disease.
This is because it may lower heart rate and blood pressure levels.
A small 2020 randomized control trialTrusted Source investigated the effects of grape seed extract on heart health in obese males. The results suggested that grape seed extract could significantly reduce cardiac output in obese males.
Polyphenols in grapes, such as quercetin and resveratrol, contain antioxidant properties, which may helpTrusted Source to protect against cardiovascular disease and risk factors.
Grape seed oil also contains linoleic acid, which research suggestsTrusted Source supports heart health in animal models.
Grapes containTrusted Source potassium, which can contribute toTrusted Source heart health by helping with blood pressure management and counteracting the effects of sodium.
People can speak with a healthcare professional to learn if they are getting enough potassium.
) Managing blood pressure
Increasing potassium intake may helpTrusted Source people manage their blood pressure. The amount of potassium in grapes varies depending on the variety and form:
Type Potassium per 100 grams (g)
green seedless grapes 218 milligrams (mg)Trusted Source
red seedless grapes 229 mgTrusted Source
purple grape juice from concentrate 50 mgTrusted Source
white grape juice from concentrate 49 mgTrusted Source
Although some researchTrusted Source suggests that grapes and grape products may have a blood pressure-lowering effect, more research is necessary to investigate the extent of this.
4) Relieving constipation
Grapes contain water and fiber. These can help people stay hydrated, keep bowel movements regular, and reduce the risk of constipation.
Research suggestsTrusted Source that total fruit intake can influence the symptoms of functional constipation by affecting:
stool consistency
gut microbiota
stool frequency
However, further research specific to grapes and constipation is necessary.
5) Relieving atopic dermatitis
A 2022 studyTrusted Source on mice suggests grape antioxidants may benefit certain skin conditions, including atopic dermatitis.
This may be because grape polyphenols have anti-inflammatory effects.
However, more research is necessary to investigate this, particularly on human models.
6) Diabetes
Research from 2022Trusted Source suggests a higher intake of fresh fruit may have protective benefits against type 2 diabetes in people with normal glucose tolerance. However, this benefit did not occur among prediabetes populations.
A 2023 meta-analysisTrusted Source also found that higher fruit intake reduced fasting blood glucose concentration in people with diabetes.
The American Diabetes Association lists grapes as a good way to satisfy a sweet tooth without consuming added sugar, as long as people count the carbohydrate amount in their meal plan.
) Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a commonTrusted Source complication of diabetes that can damage eyesight and may cause blindness.
A 2021 narrative reviewTrusted Source highlights research suggesting resveratrol may help to stop or slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy in animal models.
Certain polyphenols in grape seed extract may also help to improve diabetic retinopathy severity.
8) Protecting eye health
A 2022 reviewTrusted Source suggests resveratrol contains anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties that can benefit eye tissues. Some eye conditions it may benefit or help to protect against include:
glaucoma
age-related macular degeneration
cataract
uveitis
eye tumors
dry eye disease
myopia
However, more research is necessary to investigate the extent of these benefits in a lot of these conditions — particularly research using human models.
9) Treating acne
A 2021 studyTrusted Source suggests that resveratrol may have a beneficial role in acne treatment due to its sebosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects.
However, further research is necessary to investigate these potential benefits.
10) Other conditions
Other health conditions grapes may benefit includeTrusted Source:
nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
obesity
liver injury
Parkinson’s disease
However, future clinical trials are necessary to explore and confirm these potential benefits.
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