Sunday, March 17, 2013

Primer For Health Advantages And Calories In Grapes And Grape Products

By Arold Augustin


The alluring sweetness and minimal calories in grapes make them one of the few healthy natural foods that people actually crave to eat. Due to an overwhelmingly high content of water and very low saturated fats, they make for excellent dietary supplements. This is just one out of a big list of health benefits provided by the little grape.

Based on the variety and size, one grape will have between 2-4 calories. The FDA estimate is that a cupful (about 92g) is equivalent to 60 or so calories. This low calorie count ensures a classification as a health fruit, notwithstanding the relatively high amount of carbohydrates.

As far as calories in grapes are concerned the color doesn't seem to matter. On the other hand, acting as antioxidants are the flavonoids which create the rich purple color of some grapes. These are useful for maintenance of the heart. They keep it healthy and free of blockages and clots. Red grapes have a dietary antioxidant fiber that appears to possess an amazing ability to reduce blood pressure and fight cholesterol.

Seedless grapes have fewer calories than the seeded variety. Canned and frozen ones have sweeteners that will add to the count, unless they come immersed in water containers. Raisins, which are dried out, have a calorie count that is four times higher.

The calories in grape juice drinks have to be calculated after taking into consideration the other ingredients and additives used. This also applies to wine, which retains the medicinal properties of the grape, but also has certain unwanted side-effects. If wine intake is not limited, the positive aspects may be overshadowed by side-effects such as alcoholism, obesity and diabetes.

Ninety percent of each fresh grape is water. The remainder is a small but very powerful pack of nutrients. This includes a lot of Vitamin C and minerals such as iron and calcium. Grapes are good for all things from constipation to migraines. They help with indigestion, controlling asthma, kidney disorders, and cataracts, plus lowering blood cholesterol.

The extra moisture the lungs are able to retain because of regular grape intake helps ease asthma symptoms. Regular consumption of grapes will similarly reduce acid levels, thus reducing the strain on the kidneys. The progress of a neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer's can be slowed down by regular and significant grape intake, which helps the brain function at higher levels than normal.

The sugar content is a major source of worry for anyone regularly eating grapes. Some of the carbohydrates are actually helpful since they are dietary fibers. But a lot of it is just plain sugar that is harmful for people who are already suffering from diabetes or obesity. This is why they are rarely included in low-carbohydrate diets.

Although calories in grapes are low, eating them will not help dieters to lose weight. Nevertheless, the rich nutrients and low calories in grapes are perfect for diets that are anticipated to develop the performance of the body and help it to become stronger. The benefits of grapes consist of higher levels of energy and better metabolism, along with enhancing the immunity system.




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