It’s no secret that grapes are a common sight at a liquor store. But did you know that this food group can help you shed that extra weight? A 2017 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming grapefruit can help you lose up to 3.5 pounds a week! That’s pretty incredible. Plus, drinking alcohol with meals can help boost your weight loss efforts.
So, what is it about grapes that makes them so effective at boosting weight loss? Let’s take a look.
Healthy Filling and Nutritious
For starters, grapes are high in fiber. A single cup of grapes contains about 8.25 grams of fiber. That’s a lot of filling! And, as mentioned by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, fiber adds bulk to your stomach, making you feel full and satisfied. It also helps keep you regular, as consuming fiber can prevent unhealthy weight gain.
Grapes are also high in antioxidants. Antioxidants are nutrients that can protect your body from damage caused by free radicals. Though free radicals are natural and necessary for life, they can lead to cell damage and premature aging. So it’s beneficial to consume antioxidants to maintain good health.
Last but not least, grapes contain a substance called quercetin. Quercetin is a substance that naturally occurs in the plant world. But it’s also found in high concentrations in grapefruit. According to research, quercetin can help boost your body’s metabolism and speed up your weight loss. So, by eating a grapefruit or taking a dose of this herbal extract, you may be able to shed off that extra weight in no time!
Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit)
If you’re unfamiliar, citrus grandis is the common name for grapefruit. The fruit has a tart flavor that depends on the variety and how it’s grown. Plus, grapefruit contains the compound limonene, which gives it its pleasant smell. This compound also has antiviral properties and may even help prevent cancer!
Unfortunately, grapefruit is very susceptible to bacterial infection. And yes, you might get sick from eating it. However, this susceptibility makes it a perfect food for bacterial infection. Which is why you should always buy organic grapefruit and eat it as little as possible. You should also always buy fresh grapefruit and make sure to peel it before eating it (like you would an orange). This will help reduce the risk of you getting sick from eating it. Plus, eating the fruit often improves your digestive system, making it easier to digest food.
Can Lower Diabetes Risk
Did you know that grapes can help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes? A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition analyzed the effects of grapefruit on insulin sensitivity in obese adults with type 2 diabetes. It’s already known that sugar-rich foods, like sweets and sodas, can decrease insulin sensitivity. However, the findings of this study suggest that grapefruit may offer potential as an insulin-sensitizing food.
Specifically, it was found that consuming grapefruit can improve insulin sensitivity by 18%. Though the results are promising, it should be noted that this was only tested in lab animals. And, at this time, there is no human evidence supporting the claim that grapefruit can improve insulin sensitivity.
Good For Alzheimer’s)
Alzheimer’s disease is a horrible degenerative brain disorder that causes a person to gradually lose their memory and cognitive ability. There is no known cause of Alzheimer’s disease, but it’s usually inherited as a genetic trait from parents. Fortunately, Alzheimer’s disease has no known cure. But, it is manageable with medication and supplements. One of those supplements is grapes – specifically, the variety called “Thompson Seedless”. A study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that this food could reduce the aggregation of amyloid beta proteins in the brain. Amyloid beta proteins are thought to be one of the causes of Alzheimer’s disease.
The researchers hypothesized that the potential benefits of grapes in Alzheimer’s disease may be due to several compounds in the fruit. These compounds include flavonoids and resveratrol. Resveratrol is a substance that naturally occurs in red wine. Plus, flavonoids are substances that occur naturally in fruit. So, it’s likely that the combination of these compounds provides some health advantages for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.
Keep Your Teeth Healthy
Did you know that grapes are good for your teeth and gums? Lots of research has been done on the topic, and it’s been demonstrated that this fruit can fight cavities and gum disease. Specifically, a 2014 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition analyzed the effects of consuming grapes on oral health in adults with dental caries (cavities). After following a diet rich in fruits and vegetables for a week, the study participants showed significant improvements in their dental health. They experienced fewer cavities and less gum disease than before they started the regimen.
Though it is well known that a healthy diet can keep your teeth and gums healthy, this study provides additional evidence that grapes may be a natural choice for improving dental health. Plus, it may also be a good option for those who suffer from diabetes or Alzheimer’s disease, as these are both conditions that affect the body’s ability to maintain proper oral health.
So, what exactly makes grapes so good for your teeth and gums? Let’s take a look.
Complex Bacterial Infection
It’s extremely important to maintain a healthy mouth, so you can prevent gum disease and cavities. One way that bacteria infect your mouth is by eating food containing carbohydrates. These carbohydrates feed the bacteria, leading to even more bacteria. In this case, you end up with a pretty decent sized bacterial colony in your mouth. Though this may not sound like a problem at first, it can actually be quite dangerous. What makes this so dangerous is that the bacteria in your mouth can migrate to your intestines, leading to severe health complications. This is called “intestinal flora” and it is an important factor to consider when trying to improve your health.
When you cut back on the carbohydrates that feed these bacteria, you will start seeing improvements in your overall health. Another important point to make is that complex bacterial infections, like that which occurs in the mouth, require specific treatments. If you are not careful, you could become very ill. But in rare instances, it can lead to death. For this reason, it is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to dietary choices. You should always try to limit your intake of fruits that contain carbohydrates and sugars.
Virus Protection
Did you know that grapes can help protect you from viruses and other pathogens? A compound in grapes, called “Resveratrol”, has been demonstrated to have anti-microbial properties. Resveratrol can fight off viruses and other pathogens that cause illness and disease. It does this by inhibiting the growth of these organisms or viruses.
Unfortunately, just like with carbohydrates, it is possible for viruses to mutate and develop resistance to the effects of resveratrol. But, so far, this resistance has not been observed.
Though this is a double-edged sword, the fact that viruses can become resistant to natural substances is a cause for great concern. Fortunately, there are alternatives. The compounds in red wine, called “Tannins” and “Cannaboids”, have similar effects as Resveratrol. These compounds also have the ability to inhibit the growth of viruses and other pathogens. So, if you are really worried about getting sick from an infection, it would be best to avoid all fruit-based beverages.
Good For The Overall Wellbeing
Grapes are known to be a good source of vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber. They also provide a healthy serving of fats, protein, and carbohydrates. So, it’s no wonder that this fruit has been shown to have a positive effect on overall wellbeing. A 2017 study in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition examined the effect that grapes had on the mental and physical health of older people. The study found that eating grapes can improve memory and mental health in older people. It also suggested that this fruit can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes by improving your body’s insulin sensitivity.
Though more studies are needed to confirm these findings, it’s certainly a positive sign that grapes can play a role in improving health and wellbeing.