The benefits and properties of Mexican grapes

Grapes are one of the oldest fruits and have even been used as part of religious ceremonies in ancient Greece or as an antiseptic with medicinal uses. They are perfect for eating as fresh fruit, in salads, or in their drinkable form as wine, and although dogs cannot eat grapes, their properties and health benefits for humans are many.In Mexico, Sonora is the state with the highest grape production, followed by Zacatecas and Aguascalientes, and this small fruit that comes in bunches can generally be found year-round, though its harvest months are from May to July.Grapes: calories, benefits, and propertiesGrapes contain many important vitamins and minerals, including more than a quarter of the daily recommended intake of vitamins C and K. One cup of about 151 grams of red or green grapes contains 104 calories, in addition to the following nutrients: Carbohydrates: 27.3 gramsProtein: 1.1 gramsFat: 0.2 gramsFiber: 1.4 gramsVitamin C: 27% of the daily reference intake (DRI)Vitamin K: 28% of the DRIThiamine: 7% of the DRIRiboflavin: 6% of the DRIVitamin B6: 6% of the DRIPotassium: 8% of the DRICopper: 10% of the DRIManganese: 5% of the DRIAmong the main benefits of grapes, we can say they are one of the best sources of vitamin C, but they also contain properties that help your immune system, prevent chronic diseases, and contribute to heart health.They help your immune system. Since grapes are a great source of vitamin C, they can help your immune system fight bacterial and viral infections such as fungal infections.They may help prevent chronic diseases. Grapes are rich in antioxidants, the beneficial plant compounds that can protect against chronic health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. In fact, more than 1600 beneficial plant compounds have been identified in this fruit, and the highest concentration of antioxidants is found in the skin and seeds. Red grapes contain the highest amount of antioxidants due to the anthocyanins that give them their color, and the good news is that the antioxidants in grapes remain present even after fermentation, so red wine is also rich in these compounds.They protect against heart diseases. Resveratrol, one of the antioxidants present in grapes, may not only help prevent cancer but has also been shown to help protect against heart disease. Additionally, grapes can help lower blood pressure, as one cup of grapes contains 288 mg of potassium, a mineral necessary for maintaining healthy blood pressure levels.They may help reduce cholesterol. The compounds found in grapes can help protect against high cholesterol levels by decreasing cholesterol absorption, and a study conducted on 69 people with high cholesterol showed that eating three cups (500 grams) of red grapes daily for eight weeks reduced total and “bad” LDL cholesterol, although white grapes did not have the same effect.Good for the eyes. The phytochemicals found in grapes may protect against common eye diseases. For example, one study found that resveratrol protects human retinal cells from ultraviolet A light. This may reduce the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration; additionally, according to a review study, resveratrol may also help protect against glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic eye disease.They may benefit brain health and improve memory, attention, and mood. This is due to resveratrol, as this powerful antioxidant helps reduce oxidative stress, which can have a positive effect on your brain. Resveratrol may help reduce the chances of diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.