Humanity owes so, so much to grapes… Without them, we wouldn’t have wine! Plus, grapes also possess a long list of nutritional benefits, definitely one of the health-friendly foods that contribute to longevity.
Grapes: resveratrol and polyphenols
Grapes are very rich in assimilable sugars (glucose, laevulose, mannose), mineral salts (potassium, iron, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iodine), and vitamins A, B and C. The best properties, however, come from the skin: Both tannins and phenol feature anti-viral properties, effectively fighting herpes, for example. The skin of black grapes also contains polyphenols and resveratrol (another type of phenol), which are powerful antioxidants and anti-cancer. Resveratrol also keeps cholesterol under control and is a valuable ally in the fight against cardiovascular disease. Grapes are also helpful in treating phlebitis, working as a natural remedy for bleeding due to its astringent properties.
Ampelotherapy: grape therapy
It might seem a bit extreme, but “grape therapy” – technically called ampelotherapy (derived from the Greek ámpelos, meaning vine) – detoxifies and rejuvenates the body: The diet calls for consuming grapes of all varieties as the only daily food intake for a certain period of time. For the best results, you should go to the places where the grapes are harvested and use them instead of the supermarket variety – without all the chemical treatment.
“Grape therapy” starts with daily consumption of a cup of grapes and goes up to 2-2.5 kg per day, depending on the degree of tolerance, for a number of days ranging from 2 or 3 to even a week or 10 days. During ampelotherapy, it’s recommended to drink a warm relaxing and purifying herbal tea every evening. This particular variety of therapy is usually indicated for cases of arthritis, fluid retention, gout, constipation, and digestive disorders.
Raisins are just as good for you!
Raisins are perhaps even tastier than fresh grapes because after drying (which takes place in hot air under the sun), the sugars are more concentrated and sweeter. For this reason, they contain more calories, so they help with weight gain, anemia, bronchitis, and laryngitis. Also rich in calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, and vitamin A, raisins are a goldmine for health!