The Surprising Health Benefits of Grapes and Apples
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Most people think of grapes and apples as simple fruit that you eat, but they actually have many health benefits beyond their nutritional content.
Grapes and apples are each high in phytonutrients like resveratrol and quercetin, and some studies have shown that these compounds help prevent cancer, aid in liver function, and protect your eyesight and heart health.
Plus, they’re high in fiber and antioxidants so eating them regularly can help keep your digestive system healthy.
The next time you’re thinking about what to snack on or looking to incorporate more fruits into your diet, consider grapes or apples!
Tons of antioxidants
Berries have a lot going for them: they’re sweet, juicy, and easy to eat on-the-go. But aside from tasting good, they’re also great for your health:
most varieties are loaded with polyphenols (antioxidants), which act as scavengers that remove damaging oxidants from our bodies.
These antioxidants help prevent cell damage that can lead to cancer, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses.
In fact, berries contain more polyphenols than any other fruit or vegetable! And while you can find these powerful compounds in blueberries,
Raspberries, strawberries—even in dried cranberries—it turns out grapes contain even more antioxidants than apples do! So next time you want a healthy snack, reach for some grapes instead of an apple.
It might be hard to believe, but it's true! The benefits of grapes go far beyond just being a tasty snack. They're packed with vitamin C, fiber, and potassium.
One cup of red or green seedless grapes contains more potassium than a banana! Potassium is important because it helps maintain fluid balance throughout your body—keeping everything running smoothly, including your heart beat.
If you don't get enough potassium in your diet, you could experience muscle weakness, fatigue, and cramps. Eating too much salt? Too much sodium? That's where grapes come into play again:
One serving has only 10 mg of sodium compared to one medium-sized apple containing over 100 mg! And if that wasn't enough to convince you how beneficial grapes really are, here's another reason why they should be part of your daily diet:
their high water content keeps us hydrated during hot summer months when we tend to lose more fluids through sweat.
So grab a handful of grapes next time you're craving something sweet or looking for a quick snack before heading out on an adventure! You'll not only feel refreshed but energized after eating these little gems.
And remember, there are plenty of ways to enjoy grapes besides snacking on them raw. Try adding them to salads, smoothies, salsas, and sauces for extra flavor and nutrients!
Apples help maintain bone density
Apples, like all fruits, are rich in a variety of nutrients, including potassium and vitamin C, says Carolyn O'Neil, registered dietitian nutritionist with the American Dietetic Association.
Vitamin C aids in collagen formation for healthier bones. According to a study published in 2005 in The Journal of Nutrition,
Adults aged 60 or older who consumed apple juice daily had a significantly lower risk for hip fractures than adults who didn't drink juice regularly.
Additionally, an analysis conducted by researchers at Ohio State University found that women who consumed an average of two or more servings per week of foods . . . such as apples, grapes and citrus fruit . . . were 25 percent less likely to suffer from bone loss than those who ate fewer servings of these foods.
All fruits contain antioxidants, which help fight free radicals, O'Neil says. Free radicals can damage cells throughout your body.
As you age, your immune system becomes weaker and it's harder to fight off infections and infections can weaken your bones over time.
Antioxidants help prevent cell damage so you're better able to ward off disease-causing bacteria and viruses that could make you sicker—and potentially lead to bone loss.
In addition, eating fresh fruits may increase blood flow to your joints and muscles, reducing inflammation and helping you feel better overall.
This improved circulation may also help keep your bones healthy. Apples contain phytonutrients: Phytonutrients aren't vitamins or minerals;
They're chemicals produced by plants (including fruits) that have biological activity in humans when eaten.
One of these phytonutrients is quercetin, a flavonoid antioxidant found in apples, onions and other plant foods.
Preventing strokes
WithWith nearly 795,000 people in the U.S suffering from stroke each year, according to research published by The National Stroke Association (NSA), it’s no wonder that prevention is a hot topic for scientists looking for answers.
Of particular interest to researchers are red grapes, which appear to lower blood pressure, as well as apples—in addition to reducing cholesterol levels, both reduce plaque buildup in arteries.
But how can fruit be so good for you? Researchers think it might have something to do with a compound found in grapes called resveratrol that prevents cell damage.
apples also contain polyphenols that help fight inflammation—in fact, an apple a day may just keep disease away after allallallall alalala...I'm sorry, I started singing a song in my head there because they're great antioxidants.
There's not enough scientific evidence yet to support their use in preventing strokes, but adding these fruits into your diet won't hurt! Plus, they taste great! :)
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