Grapes

Grapes are small round or oval berries that feature semi-translucent flesh encased by a smooth skin and grow in clusters. Some contain edible seeds while some are seedless. In general, grapes have a slightly crunchy texture and a dry, sweet and tart taste.Like blueberries, grapes are covered by a protective, whitish bloom. Grapes come in a variety of colours and can be crimson, black, dark blue, yellow, green and pink. As “white” grapes are actually green in colour, they are evolutionarily derived from the red grape.

Grapes contain beneficial compounds called flavonoids, which are phytonutrients that give the vibrant purple color to grapes. These flavonoid compounds include quercitin, as well as a second flavonoid-type compound called resveratrol. Both compounds appear to have a health benefits, such as alteration of molecular mechanisms in blood vessels, reducing susceptibility to vascular damage and decreased activity of angiotensin, a systemic hormone causing blood vessel constriction that would elevate blood pressure.

Compounds such as resveratrol (a polyphenol antioxidant) have been discovered in grapes and these have been positively linked to fighting cancer, heart disease anddegenerative nerve disease.

Grapes are excellent sources of manganese and good sources of vitamin B6, thiamin (vitamin B1), potassium, and vitamin C.