Grape's phytochemical compound resveratrol, a polyphenol anti-oxidant, protects against cancers of the colon and prostate, coronary heart disease, degenerative nerve disease, Alzheimer's disease and viral/fungal infections.
Resveratrol reduces stroke risk by altering the molecular mechanisms in the blood vessels.
Anthocyanins, another class of polyphenolic anti-oxidants, found abundantly in red grapes, have been shown to have anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-cancer activities.
Catechins, a type of flavonoids anti-oxidants found in white/green varieties have also shown that they have these health promoting effects.
- They are very low in calories. 100 g fresh grapes provides 69 calories and zero cholesterol.
Grapes are a rich source of micro-nutrient minerals like copper, iron and manganese. Copper and manganese are an essential co-factor of antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase. 100 g of fresh grapes contain about 191 mg of the health benefiting electrolyte, potassium.
They are also good source of vitamin-C, vitamin A, vitamin K, carotenes, B-complex vitamins such as pyridoxine, riboflavin and thiamin.
