GRAPES are the fruits of vine (Vitis vinifera)
a plant whose origin is located by the area of the Middle East,
but nowadays it is extended in many regions of warm Mediterranean
climate, since this plant needs a mild climate to be able to
live appropriately. Wine is obtained from the fermented grapes.
It is a drink that enjoyed great tradition everywhere in Classical
times. It is worth to mention that in the Roman and Greek culture
a god of the wine existed. He was called Dionysus or Bacchus,
respectively. The Romans celebrated some big festivals, called
Bacchanalians, in honor of this god and as a tribute to this
drink.
Many grape types exist that are classified fundamentally in
two varieties: white and black grapes. Inside each one of them
we would have different classes. Most famous of all is muscatel,
a variety that is used to eat raw or for the production of the
muscat wine. Another one is the Corinthian variety of
grapes ( Champagne grapes) with which stupendous raisins are
elaborated.
Pressing
the grape a juice is obtained. It is called must. By
fermenting it, we produce wine. You can avoid its fermentation
by introducing it in a hermetic recipient and cooking it in
a water bath or double boiler,during half an hour to destroy
organisms that cause fermentation. In this way we obtain grape
juice which possesses the same properties than the fresh
grape, without any alcoholic content.
Grapes
constitute one of the main detoxifying foods, ideal to carry
out cures where they are the only food eaten . It is important
to carry out this cure when this fruit is in its biggest abundance,
that is to say at the end of summer and until mid autumn. This
diet can be carried out exclusively with grape in a quantity
that can oscillate from 2 to 3 kilos a day or to combine it
with other vegetables or fruits. We can decide to eat it during
dinner, breakfast or in both meals at the same time. By practicing
this diet it is possible to lose the superfluous weight, at
the same time that our organism is purified. Therefore this
diet is not only recommended to obese people but to all
those who need a special depurative diet: people affected by
rheumatic illnesses such as gout or arthritis; people
with kidney problems that need help to eliminate toxins or those
with problems in the circulatory system: hypertension, arteriosclerosis
or bad circulation in general. All of them will benefit
from this treatment. The reason of all this has to be attributed
fundamentally to its wealth in potassium (especially in raisins)
that controls the balance of the liquids in the organism, and
also to its low levels of sodium. ( In fresh grapes) . Equally
the presence of vitamin B that intervenes in the metabolism
of the fats and carbohydrates.
It is necessary to consider the grape an alkalizer, reason why
it purifies the blood. Its consumption can inhibit the growth
of cancerous cells. Numerous studies have been carried out
to check in which way the presence of tannins and caffeic acid
, besides constituting stupendous bactericides, could reduce
the probabilities of acquiring this illness. The extract of
grape seeds prevents the appearance of some cancers, as breast
, prostate or colon cancers. The main component responsible
for this property is a flavonoid that appears in the skin of
black grapes or in black wine. This component is called resveratrol.
On the other hand, if we eat the whole grape, without discarding
the skin, this help to clean our bowels, increasing the fecal
matter and preventing constipation. In the same way,
grapes have laxative properties.
For
their wealth in sugars and carbohydrates, grapes constitute
a source of natural energy for those that need to do an extra
effort as sportsmen, students, children in time of growth
or people with low sugar levels in their blood. This aspect
is reinforced when we consume grape raisins, in which case its
content in carbohydrates and calories is three times higher
than when we eat them fresh.
The importance of the fermented grape or wine has been valued
in the treatment of cholesterol. The presence in this drink
of alcohol and phenols contributes to diminish cholesterol,
to improve blood circulation and to prevent heart attacks.
A moderate consumption of wine can favor circulation, but the
consumption of red grape without peeling can also bring the
same properties without being necessary to take any alcohol,
which in a prolonged and abundant use is not good for our health.
Against
diarrhea it is useful to cook 50 g of vine leaves in
a liter of water in during an hour . We should take a couple
of glasses a day. The leaves and dry seeds in powder form have
been used to combat dysentery in livestock.
Grapes,
used externally, constitute a very interesting cosmetic help
for the protection and embellishment of skin, since they
are one of the best skin humidifiers, so that they hydrate
and recover it from the effects of dryness. The pulp of this
fruit extended on the face in mask form during 20 or 30 minutes
is a good resource to eliminate wrinkles. The sap of
the vine can be used to reduce the eyes inflammation.
The
vinegar of white grapes can be used to remove the yellow
stains of the fingernails ( Clean the fingernails with a
soft brush impregnated with vinegar)
This
fruit, for its wealth in sugars, is not very appropriate for
diabetics or those that present intestinal problems because
it increases fermentation and flatulence.
|
Composition
of grapes per 100 g.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
Raw
|
Raisins
|
Must
|
| |
|
|
|
| Water |
80,5 g
|
16,57 g
|
85 g
|
| Energy |
71 Kcal
|
296 Kcal
|
40 Kcal
|
| Fat |
0, 58 g
|
0,54 g
|
0,1 g
|
| Protein |
0, 66 g
|
2, 52 g
|
2,5 g
|
| Carbohydrates |
17, 7 g
|
78, 47 g
|
8 g
|
| Fiber |
1 g
|
6,8 g
|
0
|
| Potassium |
185 mg
|
825 mg
|
110 mg
|
| Sodium |
2 mg
|
28 mg
|
0,8 mg
|
| Phosphorous |
13 mg
|
75 mg
|
10 mg
|
| Calcium |
11 mg
|
28 mg
|
10 mg
|
| Magnesium |
3 mg
|
30 mg
|
12 mg
|
| Iron |
0, 26 mg
|
2,59 mg
|
0,3 mg
|
| Zinc |
0,05 mg
|
0,18 mg
|
0,05 mg
|
| Vitamin C |
10, 8 mg
|
5,4 mg
|
5,4 mg
|
| Vitamin B1 |
0,092 mg
|
0,112 mg
|
0,09 mg
|
| Vitamin B2 |
0, 057 mg
|
0,182 mg
|
0, 2 mg
|
| Vitamin B6 |
0, 110 mg
|
0,188 mg
|
0,08 mg
|
| Vitamin A |
73 IU
|
--
|
--
|
| Vitamin E |
0, 700 mg
|
0,700 mg
|
0,700 mg
|
| Folacin |
4 mcg
|
3 mcg
|
--
|
| Niacin |
0. 300 mg
|
0, 5 mg
|
0,2 mg
|
Source:
USDA Nutrient Data Base
