Grapes

Grapes

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The botanically, grape is considered to be a berry (refer1) and its biological name is Vitis vinifera. The grapes are of different colors and sizes i.e. green, yellow black and pink.

History

The history of grapes (Vitis vinifera subsp. vinifera, ) about their cultivation started about the 6000 years ago (Refer 2).
By 4000 B.C., from Transcaucasia to Asia Minor growing
of the grapes extended by utilizing the through the Nile Delta of Egypt.

The world’s first liquor law in 1700 B.C was started with some rules, by the King of Babylon

Later on, Phoenicians and Greeks grapes growing exceeded to more countries/region of Europe i.e. Italy,Spain, France and some other. Also Roman promoted this production and took it to whole Europe.

Coulombus introduced native grapes of Europe to the Americas but it didn’t show the result of being growing as that in Europe and the reason was that of low temperature. Now a days, V.Vinifera in the United States still lies to some region which are having not so cold winters/weather with low relative humidity environment.

The grapes with more disease opposing capacity and hardiness ability were achieved when hybrid of French-American grapes introduced.

The grapevine in America which (is oldest) is about 400year old. Such grapevine occurred in North Carolina which was known as Muscadine vine. (Refer 1)

Nutrients in Grapes:

Grapes juice in amount of 100g having following nutrients.

Nutrients in grape juice (100g)	unit
Water	84.51g
Energy	60kcal
Total lipid (fat)	0.13g
Carbohydrate, by difference	14.77g
Protein	0.37g
Fiber, total dietary	0.2 g
Sugars, total including NLEA	14.2g
Calcium	11mg
Iron	0.25mg
Magnesium	10mg
Phosphorus	14mg
Potassium	104mg
Copper	0.018mg
Zinc	0.07mg
Sodium,	5mg
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid	25 mg
Thiamin	0.017mg
Riboflavin	0.015mg
Niacin	0.133mg
Vitamin B-6	0.032mg
Choline, total	3.2mg

Nutrients data Reported/released by: Food Data Central (FDC), U.S. Department of Agriculture in April 2018.

Benefits of Grapes:

1.  Grapes as a Antioxidants source:

·         Inflammation can be reduced by grapes (Refer3).

·         The sources of antioxidants in the grape lies in the seeds and skin. (Refer 4)

·         The anthocyanins making more antioxidant grapes which are also considered to be the source for the color of the grapes i.e. causes red color of the grapes. (Refer 5)

2.  Grapes can be used for anti-cancer activity

·         The resistance against cancer cell of human’s colon in test tube research has been achieved.  (Refer 6, 7).

·         Anthocyanins, catechins and quercetins shown anti-cancer activities in reported cases and these compounds lies in grapes. (Refer 8)

·         Resistance against breast cancer cells have been resulted in laboratory and models of mouse by the extract of grapes. (Refer 9,10,11)

3.  Grapes can be used to control sugar.

·         Grape compounds results suggesting that it can be used by diabetic patient as it is observed to have low glycemic index (GI) of 53.

·         Also in research work on 38 men which was in the time period of about 16 weeks had shown reduction in blood sugar levels.   (Refer 12)

4.  Grapes can be used for betterment in Mood and Memory boosting/sharpening

·         The Research work related to young people, when took grape juice results in betterment of their moods and skills which connected to memory in about 20mins.  (Refer 13)

5.  Grapes for Bones

·         Grapes are the source for such nutrients i.e. vitamin K, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, calcium and potassium which are helpful for bones.     Refer (2,14)

6.  Grapes Anti-inflammatory activity

·         Anti-inflammatory activities has been attained by resveratrol. (Refer 15)

·         The research work done in about 75 heart disease patient had shown the increased anti-inflammatory compounds by the grapes powder extract. (Refer 16)

7.  Grapes for Eye diseases

·         The antioxidants named as lutein and zeaxanthin that lies in grapes protecting eyes from blue light hazards. (Refer 17)

·         According to research work data, cataract, glaucoma and diabetic eye disease can be treated by resveratrol.   (Refer18)

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References:

1. https://ipm.missouri.edu/MEG/2013/8/Grapes-A-Brief-History/
2. McGovern PE (2003) Ancient Wine: The Search for the Origins of Viniculture (Princeton Univ Press, Princeton). Google Scholar
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4789514/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17090126
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12236700
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29552079
7.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29113217
8.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26829056
9.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23754570
10.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22871396
11.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26069256
12.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26337448
13.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28429081
14.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19968914
15.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28911531
16.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23224687
17. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23571649
18. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4848669/