Grapes – A Brief
Scientific Name- Vitis vinifera Family- Vitaceae
Other Names-
Angoor (Hindi), Draksha Pandu (Telugu), Draksha Pazham (Tamil),
Munthiri (Malayalam), Drakshi (Kannada), Dhraksh (Gujarati), and Draksha
(Marathi).
Grapes are known as ‘The Queen of Fruits’, and are
categorized into three variants based on their color – red, green, and
black/blue. This wonderful and flavorful fruit not only adds vibrance
and appeal to your food, but is also very beneficial. Grapes contain
immunity-boosting vitamin C, simple sugars that provide instant energy,
and antioxidants that are anti-inflammatory. Just wow!
Skin Benefits
- Provides Protection Against Sunburns
- Reverses Aging
- Makes Skin Supple
- Combats Uneven Skin Tone
- Helps Lighten Scars
Hair Benefits
- Treatment For Hair Loss
- Imparts Shine To Limp, Dead Hair
- Provides Volume To Hair
- Fights Stubborn Dandruff
Health Benefits
- Relieves Migraine
- Treats Alzheimer’s Disease
- Prevents Indigestion
- Fights Breast Cancer
- Prevents Eye Degeneration
- Treats Diabetes
- Lowers Cholesterol In Blood
- Heals Kidney Disorders
- Relieves Asthma
- Helps Fighting Viral Infections
- Relieves Constipation
Skin Benefits Of Grapes
Grapes are an elixir for our skin. Regular consumption and application of grapes can give us smooth and supple skin.
1. Protection Against Sunburns
Sometimes,
the sun is so harsh that we end up getting sunburned even if we have
applied sunscreen. And sometimes, we may even forget to slather on some.
No worries, nature has a solution for all problems. Grapes, surprising
as it might sound, are a great home remedy for sunburns.
What You Need
A few mashed grapes
What You Have To Do
1. Apply the mashed grapes gently and generously on the affected area.
2. Leave it on for around 30 minutes before washing it off with cold water.
Why Does It Work
The
fleshy part of the grapes, as well as the extract of their seeds,
contain proanthocyanidins and resveratrol that are powerful
antioxidants. The application of grape seed extract on the skin provides
protection against harmful ultraviolet radiation. It acts as a
sunscreen by reducing the redness caused due to sunburns and also
minimizes the damage borne by the skin cells.
2. Reverses Aging
Grapes also help in toning your skin and reversing the aging process. Rather that opt for chemical laden products, try using grapes. They are excellent anti-aging agents.
What You Need
Pulp of seedless grapes
What You Have To Do
1. Rub the pulp on your face in a circular motion.
2. Rinse with cool water after 20 minutes.
Why Does It Work
Free
radicals are the main cause of premature aging. It is characterized by
the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines on the skin. The antioxidants
present in the grapes protect the skin from the harmful effects of the
free radicals and reverse the appearance of wrinkles and dark spots.
Grapes contain vitamin C that is necessary for the formation of
collagen, a fiber-like protein that helps retain skin elasticity and
reverses aging.
3. Makes Skin Supple
To
make our skin supple and smooth, we resort to means like using baby
products or spending a bomb on imported cosmetics. But, did you know
that grapes are great exfoliating agents that can make your skin baby
soft? You don’t ever have to spend on store-bought products again if you
include grapes in your skin care regimen.
What You Need
Grape seed extract.
What You Have To Do
1. Use it to gently scrub your face.
2. Wash it off with cold water.
Why Does It Work
Grape
seed extract is rich in vitamin E and retains the moisture of the skin.
This extract also acts as an exfoliant. Scrubbing the skin with it
results in the removal of the top layer of dead cells, resulting in
healthier and smoother skin.
4. Combats Uneven Skin Tone
Many
of us experience uneven tanning, with our face looking all patchy and
discolored. But, thankfully green grapes are very effective in curing
uneven skin tones.
What You Need
Fresh grape juice or pulp.
What You Have To Do
1. Apply freshly squeezed grape juice or pulp on your skin.
2. Let it dry. Rinse it off with cool water.
Why Does It Work
Grape pulp has been found to improve skin tone owing to the presence of polyphenols (
9). So, don’t hesitate to use grape juice to even out your skin.
5. Helps In Lightening Scars
Adolescence
is a phase in which many of us get acne. However, as we grow up, they
seem to disappear gradually. But, the scars never go! But don’t worry,
grapes can help you lighten scars that are caused due to acne.
What You Need
- Green grapes
- 1 tablespoon alum
- 1 tablespoon salt
What You Have To Do
1. Mix all the ingredients and wrap them in a foil. Then, bake them for a quarter of an hour.
2. Apply the juice of these grapes on your face.
3. Leave it on for 15 minutes and then rinse with warm water.
Why Does It Work
The vitamin C in grapes helps to repair the skin. With regular use, you will see the scars fade away completely.
Hair Benefits Of Grapes
We
already know that green grapes are great for curing skin troubles. But,
did you know that black grapes can be amazing for your mane? Black
grapes can make your hair shiny, bouncy, and strong. Let’s take a look.
6. Treatment For Hair Loss
Seeing
a bunch of hair tangled in our comb has the potential to scare us out
of our wits. Especially during monsoons, where hair fall seems to be as
common as the rain. To stop this breakage, use grapes. It is extremely
beneficial in combating hair loss.
What You Need
Seeded grapes.
What You Have To Do
1. Mash the grapes and generously apply to your hair.
2. Let it stay for some time before rinsing it off.
Why Does It Work
Linoleic acid present in grapes and grape seed oil strengthens the follicles and makes the hair strong and healthy.
7. Imparts Shine To Limp, Dead Hair
Is
constant exposure to the sun leaving your hair all dry and brittle? Is
your natural dark hair losing its color? If it is, then it’s about time
you take up the grape juice therapy for your hair.
What You Need
- Skin of 12-14 black grapes.
- 2 tbsp chickpea flour.
- 2 tbsp fenugreek powder.
What You Have To Do
1. Grind the black grapes and leave it aside.
2. Blend the chickpea flour and fenugreek powder and make it into a paste.
3. Grind all the ingredients into a fine paste and apply to the hair as a pack.
4. Rinse the mix after 15 minutes to get beautiful and naturally dark hair.
8. Provides Volume To Hair
Grape seeds are known to facilitate hair volume. So, why don’t you try this easy peasy solution and get thick, gorgeous locks?
What You Need
- 50 gram grape seeds.
- 50 grams fenugreek seeds.
- 1 tsp pepper.
What You Have To Do
1. Take fenugreek, grape seed, and pepper and grind them until they are in their powdered form.
2. Add this powder to lukewarm oil and massage it on the scalp for 10 minutes.
3. Rinse it off.
4. Use it twice a week to get the best results.
9. Fights Stubborn Dandruff
Black
grapes can prevent scalp itchiness and stubborn dandruff. For getting
instant relief from dry scalp, mash up black grapes and apply to your
hair. Wash it off after 15 minutes. You will be surprised by the
results.
Why Does It Work
Black grape is full of vitamin E
and antioxidants, making it a successful agent for preventing hair
problems. It even improves the blood circulation in your scalp, keeping
it healthy.
Health Benefits Of Grapes
Be it green grapes or black ones, all types of this amazing fruit is beneficial for our health. Let’s see what they are.
10. Relieves Migraine
Ripe
grape juice is an age-old home remedy for migraine. So, next time your
head feels like splitting, consume a glass of fresh grape juice. This
will relieve you of the torturous pain. Having the juice early in the
morning without adding water or any type of sweetener will give the best
results.
Why Does It Work
The antioxidants present in grapes, like riboflavin, are believed to responsible for curing a bout of migraine
.
11. Treats Alzheimer’s Disease
Grapes
are also helpful in enhancing the health of the brain and delaying the
onset of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. So, consuming
grapes regularly can protect you from brain disorders.
Why Does It Work
The
polyphenols present in grapes have been found to reduce cognitive
decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease in mice, which can be
replicated in humans
.
12. Prevents Indigestion
Bloating and burning in the stomach can be cured by consuming a glass of grape juice. This can also prevent dyspepsia.
Why Does It Work
Grapes reduce stomach heat, which helps in curing indigestion.
13. Fights Breast Cancer
A
recent study says that purple colored concord grape juice helps in
preventing breast cancer. So, if you want to protect yourself from this
deadly disease, make sure that you have a glass of this delicious juice
every day.
Why Does It Work
Grapes have antimutagenic and
antioxidant properties that are very effective in combating all kinds of
cancer, and prove to be rather effective against breast cancer
.
14. Prevents Eye Degeneration
They
say that our eyes are the mirror of our soul. So, we should take extra
care of it, isn’t it? Start consuming grapes to protect this important
sensory organ.
Why does It Work
Grapes are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin that are responsible for maintaining good eye health as we age
.
15. Treats Diabetes
Do
you love sugar but are scared of the danger (read diabetes) associated
with it? Grapes can be an excellent option. They are sweet and extremely
helpful in preventing diabetes.
Why does It Work
Pterostilbene is a compound present in grapes that helps to lower the sugar levels in the blood, hence preventing diabetes
.
16. Lowers Cholesterol In Blood
Regular
consumption of grapes can help in regulating the cholesterol levels in
your blood. So, instead of mindlessly opting for products that claim to
control cholesterol levels, try including grapes in your diet.
Why Does It Work
The
polyphenols found in grape juice, for example in concord grape juice,
help lower the bad cholesterol or Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) levels
.
17. Heals Kidney Disorders
Grapes also help reduce instances of kidney diseases, including stones and other troubles associated with the organ.
Why Does It Work
Grapes
help to reduce the acidity of uric acid. They also eliminate the acid
from the system, which results in the reduction of pressure on the
kidneys
.
18. Relieves As thma
The
monsoons and autumn are the most difficult seasons for asthma patients,
owing to heavy winds and airborne allergies. Grapes are considered to
have a high therapeutic value for asthma. Try consuming them this season
and see the difference for yourself.
Why Does it Work
Grapes have a high assimilatory power that helps in increasing the level of moisture present in the lungs and soothing spasms
.
19. Helps Fight Polio And Herpes
Grapes
are also known to improve the chances of a speedy recovery from viral
infections like polio and herpes. Children who consume grapes regularly
have lesser chances of being inflicted by polio.
Why Does It Work
Red grapes exhibit antiviral properties that protect you from various infections like the poliovirus and herpes simplex virus
.
20. Relieves Constipation
Feeling
all bloated and constipated because of the yummy spicy chicken you had
last night? Have a fruit salad and include grapes for instant recovery.
Grapes are very effective in curing constipation.
Why Does It Work
They
are thought of as a laxative food as they are rich in sugar, organic
acid, and cellulose. They relieve chronic constipation by toning up the
stomach.
Tips For Selection And Storage
Selection
The
quality of a product is pivotal if you are looking at reaping the
maximum benefits from it. As far as grapes are concerned, always choose
those fruits that are plump, unblemished, evenly colored, and firmly
attached to the stem. The best way to ensure that you are buying fresh
grapes is to hold the bunch by its stem and shake them. If the grapes
fall from the stem, it means they have been stored for a long time and
should not be eaten. Bunches are held together if the stem is green.
Green
or white grapes are the sweetest if they have a yellowish color with a
tinge of amber while red grapes should be deeply colored with no green
areas. Sometimes, grapes have a white coating on their surface. This
coating, known as bloom, is a harmless, natural substance that provides
protection against loss of moisture, fungus, and decay.
Avoid
grapes with soft or wrinkled skin or stems that are brown or brittle.
This might be a sign of freezing or drying. Grapes with bleached areas
around the stem or leaking berries should also be avoided as they
indicate poor quality or decay.
Storage
Proper storage of
grapes is also a prerequisite for keeping the fruits fresh and avoiding
any injury or decay. Unwashed grapes should be kept in a plastic bag or
an airtight container, and stored in the coolest part of the
refrigerator. Grapes can be stored for a week, but their quality
diminishes with time.
Nutritional Value Of Grapes
Let us have a brief idea on the overall nutrition content of grapes:
| Principle | Nutrient Value | Percentage of RDA |
|---|
| Energy | 69 Kcal | 3.5% |
| Carbohydrates | 18 g | 14% |
| Protein | 0.72 g | 1% |
| Total Fat | 0.16 g | 0.5% |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.9 g | 2% |
| Vitamins |
|---|
| Folates | 2 µg | 0.5% |
| Niacin | 0.188 mg | 1% |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.050 mg | 1% |
| Pyridoxine | 0.086 mg | 7.5% |
| Riboflavin | 0.070 mg | 5% |
| Thiamin | 0.069 mg | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 66 IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 10.8 mg | 18% |
| Vitamin E | 0.19 mg | 1% |
| Vitamin K | 14.6 µg | 12% |
| Electrolytes |
|---|
| Sodium | 0% | 1 mg |
| Potassium | 191 mg | 4% |
| Minerals |
|---|
| Calcium | 10 mg | 1% |
| Copper | 0.127 mg | 14% |
| Iron | 0.36 mg | 4.5% |
| Magnesium | 7 mg | 2% |
| Manganese | 0.071 mg | 3% |
| Zinc | 0.07 mg | 0.5% |
| Phyto- nutrients |
|---|
| Carotene-a | 1 µg | — |
| Carotene-ß | 39 µg | — |
| Crypto-xanthin-ß | 0 µg | — |
| Lutein-zeaxanthin | 72 µg | — |
Tips For Usage
Image: Shutterstock
Eating
Grapes,
like a few other fruits, can be consumed either fresh or frozen. They
should be removed from the refrigerator 30 minutes before eating to
bring them to an ideal temperature of about 60ºF. Here are a few tips to
serve fresh grapes:
- Serving chilled grapes on a platter with a few varieties of cheese is an easy alternative for a fancy dessert.
- Place
some red grapes in the scooped half of a green honeydew melon and top
it with yogurt. Pairing this with toasted muffins makes for a nutritious
breakfast.
- In addition to snacks, grapes can also form part of
your meals. Try adding chilled grapes to pasta, chicken, sweet potato,
or fish that can be served alongside crusty bread or rolls.
- Grapes, along with cheese, sliced sweet onions, and fresh thyme can be used as toppings on rolled puff pastry and baked.
- You can drop a few frozen grapes in champagne and other bubbly drinks.
- Grapes can also form part of ice creams, sodas, cocktails, and sorbets.
Cooking
Apart
from being eaten raw or used as a garnishing, grapes can also be cooked
in a variety of ways. Grapes contain natural sugars and can impart
their sweet and sour flavor to any dish. A few ways of using grapes in
recipes are as follows:
- Like many other berries, grapes can be effectively used in baked dishes such as pies, tarts, cakes, bread, and pizzas.
- They can be tossed with their skin in a blender to make smoothies, cocktails, and other delicious drinks.
- Grapes can be flavored with rich, dark, or milk chocolate to make a delicious dessert.
- They can be grilled or smoked and served warm, either as a garnish or for dipping.
- They can also be used for making pickles.
- Grapes, when frosted with sugar, make an elegant garnishing for cakes and desserts.
- They
make excellent dressings for salads of all types, imparting their
juicy, sweet, and tart flavor. They taste best when added as a component
in salads that use citrus juices and vinegar, such as balsamic, red or
white wine, rice, or apple cider.
- They can effectively replace tomatoes in salsa, skewers, sauces, etc., and can be grilled with meat, fish, or shrimps.
Recipes Using Grapes
While
we have come to know about the different ways in which grapes can be in
food, knowing distinct and international recipes utilizing grapes can
add a little twist to your party.
1. Grape Focaccia
Image: Shutterstock
Why not begin the list with yummy focaccia?
What You Need
- 6 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh rosemary (divided into two parts)
- 2 tbsp active dry yeast
- 1 2/3 Cups flour
- 2/3 Cup fine cornmeal
- 5 tbsp sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 1/4 Cups concord grapes
- 1/2 Cup pine nuts
- Coarse salt for garnishing
What You Have To Do
1.
Begin by heating oil in a skillet over medium hit and add 1 tablespoon
rosemary. Keep on stirring. Now, remove from heat and leave the oil for
cooling.
2. Take up a large bowl and add 3/4 cup of lukewarm water to it along with yeast. Let it stand until it gets foamy.
3. Add the oil-rosemary mix to the bowl along with flour, cornmeal, 3
tablespoons of sugar and salt to the yeast mix. Keep on stirring to form
a soft dough.
4. Upturn the dough to a flour-based utensil and knead for 15 minutes, making it elastic and smooth.
5. Take another bowl and drizzle some olive oil on it. Toss the dough
in it and coat it with oil, cover it with a cloth, and leave aside for
an hour. Make sure the dough rises twice its level before going to the
next step.
6. Take up grapes and cut them in half, making sure to remove the seeds.
7. Preheat oven up to 400 degrees. Now, take a cookie sheet and place
it over a baking pan. Transfer the dough into it and even it out until
it is half inch thick. Don’t fill the whole pan with the dough. Top up
the dough with grapes and nuts and sprinkle the coarse salt. Drizzle it
properly with oil and let it cook for 30 minutes.
8. Your focaccia is ready to be devoured!
2. Roasted Grape Granita
Another sweet dish made out of grapes that will blow your mind.
You Will Need
900 grams grapes (black or red) rinsed and thoroughly dried.
What You Have To Do
1.
Begin by preheating the oven to 500 degrees F. Arrange the grapes on a
thick baking pan. Now, roast the grapes until they are brown and crispy.
This will take up around 25 minutes.
2. Remove the pan from the
oven and let the grapes cool. After they are cool, blend them until they
are smooth. Now, pour the puree into a bowl using a strainer.
3.
Refrigerate the mixture overnight, or until it freezes properly. But,
make sure to poke it every once and while. Remove from fridge and add
red wine for the extra grape-y flavor.
4. Your yummy granita is all ready.
Grapes
are extremely versatile and nutritious fruits that can satisfy the
taste buds in a variety of ways. The amount of nutrients and
antioxidants that are packed in these tiny fruits are phenomenal.
Therefore, we see that grapes really play a vital role in maintaining
our health.
If you are aware of any other benefits of grapes, feel
free to share them with us in the comments section. We love to hear
from you all.
Now
let me share to you my experience with my own manual defrost model
refrigerator. During my early time in my place, there were countless of
times blackouts happened in our apartment building. The landlord kept on
adding units vertically and horizontally and there were lots of works
going on. Lack of electrical power lasted from 4 to 6 hours on average
and at one point up to more than 12 hours. During those times of
blackouts, neither did I experience a rotten food on my fridge or the
ref itself gotten warm.
