What is the first thing you think about when you see a vineyard?

A basket filled with delicious berries? Raisins, must?

All of that has the same meaning – health!

Grapevine is one of the oldest cultivated plants.

Grapevine culture originated 9 000 yeas ago in the region of Asia Minor, Caucasia and Mesopotamia. 

Records on grapevine in Egypt are 6 000 years old.

Today we have over 8 000 grape varieties across the world.

Grape berries have a crunchy texture and sweet or porous taste. 

Grape clusters ripen during the summer and offer an abundance of nutrients, vitamin and minerals in their juicy, sweet or sour berries of various colors.

The richness of nutrients

Grapes are a great source of vitamin C and B group vitamins (apart from B12) that are important for carbohydrate exchange and have a beneficial influence on the human nerve system.

Apart from minerals, grapes contain potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, sodium, copper, zinc and iron.

Grape juice is rich in vitamins A, B and C.

One hundred grams of grapes have only 69 calories, 0.92 grams of proteins, 0.16 grams of fat, 18.1 grams of carbohydrates, 0.9 grams of dietary fibers and 15.48 grams of grape sugar.

Grape's healing properties

Grapes have an abundance of polyphenols – natural compounds that protect the heart and blood vessels.

Polyphenols found in grapes are strong antioxidants and they protect the body against premature aging, diseases and decay. 

Grape consumption enhances blood flow, prevents cholesterol accumulation, enhance heart rate and lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke. 

Red grapes contain iron and copper – minerals important for the creation of red blood cells and hemoglobin synthesis.  That is why such grapes are recommended for anemic people and all people recovering from operation or injuries. 

This fruit normalizes intestinal and kidney functions. 

A sugar found in grapes enters the bloodstream quickly, which makes it good for physical and psychical efforts. 

Black grapes contain pigment called anthocyanin from the herbal phenol group that has an effect similar to lycopene found in tomato - strong antioxidant. Black grapes strengthen immunity, enhance digestion and regulate intestinal functions. 

Antioxidants found in black grapes protect us against the destructive effects of free radicals, they suppress blood clogging, lower bad cholesterol, reduce the risk of stroke and tumor. 

Researches showed that black grapes increase levels of melatonin – a hormone needed for good sleep.

White grapes contain 20% of sugar and are filled with potassium and calcium, but have low levels of phenols when compared to black grapes. 

 

Healing effects of grape:

• organism cleansing
• protects the health of heart and blood vessels
• reduces stored fat
• prevents inflammatory processes
• enhances metabolism
• helps with arthritis and rheum
• protects against various types of cancer
• enhances kidney and lung functions
• prevents kidney stone creation
• helps with bronchitis and cough
• enhances digestion and regulates intestinal functions
• enhances memory and concentration
• decelerates aging processes
• enhances sleep

 

Raisins

Dried grapes or raisins are rich in fructose and glucose. Raisins help with respiratory organ diseases; alleviate cough, kidney and bladder pain. 

Phytochemicals present in raisins suppress the growth of bacteria in oral cavity - bacteria responsible for cavities and gum diseases. 

Raisins are excellent high-energy meal that will restore your energy during physical efforts.

Grape juice

Fresh grape juice enhances appetite, enhances metabolism and excretion of harmful compounds from our bodies. 

Fresh grape juice treatment can be used for reducing the risk of kidney stone formation and for enhancing function of internal secretion glands.

It used for treating intestinal catarrhs, chronic diarrheas and jaundice. It is recommended against anemia, gastritis and intestinal diseases. It also helps normalizing blood pressure. 

Grape juice will help people suffering from joint inflammations, gout, and liver and spleen diseases, and in some cases of poisoning. 

It will cleanse our liver, strengthen immunity and excrete excel uric acid from our body.

Grape leaf mixtures

Tea made of fresh leaves is good against rheum, gout, vomiting, gastritis, hemorrhoids and bleeding – especially in cases of abundant menstruations. 

Infusion and a decoction made of grape leaves are used for baths and chapped skin care and for treating frostbites. 

If you have headaches or stomach pain, put a wrap of minced fresh grapevine leaves. 

Grapevine flowers are used in cases of a weakened brain function and for treating spinal cord since it revitalizes nerve ganglia. 

Grapevine flowers are used for making tea infusions, massage oil and a crème for treating sun freckles. 

Grape residues left after winemaking process can be used for fighting 14 types of bacteria, including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

Grape berry skins are rich in fibers and enhance intestinal function and prevent constipation. 

They remove excess water from our bodies, remove toxins and bind fatty compounds. Black grape skins are especially healthy.

Grape seed oil

Grape seeds are used for making oil that lowers blood cholesterol level.

Grape seed oil is made by cold pressing grape berries and is highly regarded and prized. 

First production started in France as a replacement for olive oil. 

This oil is used in cuisine and contains an abundance of antioxidants and polyphenoles. 

This oil is golden yellow in color; it has neither taste nor scent. It contains omega-3 fatty acids and has a protective effect on the cardiovascular system. 

This oil is also used in natural skin care products.

Its ingredients decelerate the skin aging process; protect the skin against infections and strong influence of the sun. It is recommended for problematic skin care.

Grapes in folk medicine

For stomach inflammation

Three times a day, 20 days in a row, eat 400 grams of black grapes on an empty stomach with a piece of black bread, at least a day or two old.

For better circulation

Cook two handfuls of chopped fresh grapevine leaves in a liter of water for 15 minutes. Add this mixture into the bath and soak your legs up to knee-high in it for half an hour. Repeat the process for one month, best before going to sleep. 

Against red pimples

Cook one spoon of chopped, dry, organically cultivated grapevine leaf in 2.5 dcl of water for 10 minutes. When the mixture cools, filtrate it and drink it three times a day between main meals. Drink for a month, repeat the therapy if needed. 

Against warts

Chop three spoons of white grape seeds and quince seeds in a mixer and pour 2 dcl of boiled water over them. When the mixture cools, soak warts in it a couple of times every day. After 20 minutes wipe warts with cotton buds soaked in lukewarm chamomile tea.

Refreshing lotion

Mix clean water and white wine and cover your face and neck with the mixture. After 20 minutes, rinse treated places with lukewarm chamomile tea. White wine is an excellent refreshing lotion that will give a fresh look to your skin. Apply the aforementioned treatment occasionally. 

Grape face mask

Fresh grape berry face mask is easily made by peeling 20 berries and removing the seeds and by applying grape mash on the face and neck skin you previously cleaned. Rinse your face and neck with lukewarm water after 20 minutes. 

Grape dishes

We mostly eat grapes raw. But, you can use it for making juice, vinegar and jam. 

It is a great addition to fruit salads. Use several grape varieties in different colors for fruit salads in order to decorate the salad and make it taste richer. You can also combine grapes with green salad or nutty fruits.

Raising, or dried grapes, are an irreplaceable ingredient in many cakes and other sweet treats, but you can also eat them alone.

Did you know that raisins are the staple food of every mountaineer? When you are under a lot of physical stress, raisins will provide quick additional energy.

Purchasing and storing

When purchasing grapes, make sure that the berries are ripe, firm and that they have a nice color.

You can see if the grapes are ripe by their colors. Green varieties should have yellowish tone and red grape varieties should not be green. Dark varieties should have distinctive dark color.

If you leave grapes on room temperature for a prolonged period, it will soon ferment and will not be good for eating. You will preserve its freshness longer if you put it in a fridge.

Liked the article?
Share it with your friends!