Grape, automn's fruit, is called “nature's happy creation”. What is its nutritional value and beneficial properties towards health?

Grape is the vines fruit. The vineyard is otherwise call vine (Vitis Vinifera), is a clinging plant and its products such as must, wine, vinegar and raisins, can also be preserves.

The grape, a separate item in our orthodox history, seems to have a fairly old history. The oldest references can be found in the Omiro's stories. Omiros extols its virtues, but at the same time is castigating its abuse.
 
At the heroes feasts grape consumption is dominating both Odyssey and Iliad. In hieroglyph inscriptions there are references to the vine, while several wall paintings represent people cultivating the vineyards and gathering grapes.

Source: http://www.iatronet.gr

This pictures and paintings are dated to 2500 B.C.

Characteristic Varieties

There are many grape varieties, which are classified in 3 large groups: the white, the red and the pinkish. For the table grapes, the berries need to be of medium size and vivid color, the bunch must have conical shape and the twig must be fresh.

Kept in the refrigerator in low temperatures. The main Greek raisin variety is the Soultanina and the Corinthian Raisin.

Wines can be classified into dry, sweet and semi-sweet wines. The wine' s sweetness can be measured during the harvesting process, although in practise it is determined by the amount of sugar that remains in the wine after the fermentation. 

So, dry wine does not contain sugar residual. Wines are classified by grape's year of harvest (vintage).

They are usually produced by one year old grapes and are dated according to the year. There a re special wine categories, like sparkling wine, which contains carbon dioxide (carbonic) produced during fermentation.

A calssic example is the French champagne.

Grape's nutritional value

Grapes is called “nature's happy creation” 100 grams of grapes yield 80kcal. It is rich in potassium, vitamins A, B and C while their rind contains the precious ingredient called resveratrol.

They also contain:

  • Flavonoid, also known as vitamin P, which besides being protective to the heart, is also used in the treatment of various infections.
  • Kouersitini: Protects the body from cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

Beneficial effects – grape's properties

The grape also enhances estrogen levels, battling the germs, increases the zinc absorption, resulting in faster wound healing, better taste and smell, digestion, sexual potency, arterial hypertension prevention, prostate hypertrophy suspension.

It more specifically has:

  • Anti-inflammatory effect: inhibit the release of histamine and prostaglandin, which is responsible for inflammation.
  • Anti-allergic action:allergy sufferers report significant relief with the use of grape extract.
  • Anti-ulcer action: bioflavonoid assist in healing of ulcers by decreasing the secretion of histamine.
  • Protective action: 1-2 glasses of red wine during meals has a protective result against heart diseases. The bioflavonoid protect the cellular DNA from oxidative damage.
  • Ameliorative action: people who take bioflavonoid often cite improved mental clarity.

In conclusion, the nature fended for grape to be combination of taste and health properties.