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Cancer and Nutrition - Grapes and Grape Juice

Everybody knows fruits and vegetables are crucial to a healthy and balanced diet, and grapes and grape juice are great sources of many vitamins and minerals. There are many different varieties of grape that have different characteristics, but there are many common substances found in all grapes that are incredibly beneficial to the human body. Vitamins include several versions of A, several versions of B, C, a couple of variations of D and E, folate and vitamin K. Minerals in grapes include calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and zinc. It is estimated there are about 30,000 square miles in the world dedicated to growing grapes. The majority of these grapes, about 71 percent, are used to make wine, 27 percent are used as fresh fruit and juice, and around two percent become dried fruit (raisins).

Scientists and researchers are still working to identify all of the beneficial compounds in various foods, including grapes, and new discoveries are made all the time. There are, however, several chemicals that have been identified and are being worked with to determine their exact effects on human ailments. Here is a description of a few of the healthy substances found in grapes.

Resveratrol

Resveratrol is an antibacterial and anti-fungal chemical produced by some plants to protect them from infection and other factors in the environment that may be harmful to the fruit. Whole grapes and grape juice are rich sources of resveratrol, with red and purple grapes containing the highest concentrations. Raisins and grape jams contain small amounts the chemical, as does wine. There are some health benefits to the use of moderate amounts of red wine, but it is not recommended as a primary source of resveratrol.

As an antioxidant, resveratrol helps cells avoid damage caused by free radicals in the body. Free radicals come from pollution, sunlight and other natural processes that occur in the body, and can cause cells to mutate and become cancerous. They are also believed to be involved in the human aging process and may play a part in brain degeneration. Resveratrol has been proven to fight cancer in all three stages of development. It can stop the initiation of tumor growth from the beginning, halt the proliferation of cancerous cells all through the body, and can halt the growth of tumors already in existence.

Along with the ability to fight cancer, some animal studies have proven the benefits of resveratrol. The life span of a species of fish given the chemical increased by about 50 percent; the fat-related deaths of obese mice fed resveratrol dropped by about 31 percent; other mice that were fed the chemical also showed twice as much endurance. Other potential benefits of resveratrol in humans include the extension of life, increased endurance, treatment for type 2 diabetes, reduction of potentially harmful blood clots, lower cholesterol, and evidence has been found that it may help prevent or lessen the affects of Alzheimer's disease.

Pterostilbene

Pterostilbene is chemically related to, but not as well understood as, resveratrol. Discovered in 2002, studies are continuing on this substance's affect on many kinds of cancer and other health issues found in humans. Another powerful antioxidant, pterostilbene has been found to be particularly effective in preventing and treating breast cancer in women. It inhibits the production of an enzyme that is known to potentially turn different substances into cancer causing agents, or carcinogens. Pterostilbene is found in grapes, as well as in a wide variety of berries.

Flavonoids

Flavonoids are an entire class of chemicals found in grapes and other fruits and vegetables. More than 5,000 different flavonoids have been identified in various plants and are, once again, very powerful antioxidants. When taken separately, these substances are much less effective, which lead scientists to theorize that only by working together do these flavonoids have phenomenal health benefits. A research team studying grapes has recently discovered 10 unknown flavonoids.

Grape Supplements

There are many supplements that are made from grapes, including those made from grape seeds. While these supplements are better than nothing, most researchers recommend eating whole, fresh grapes and drinking grape juice. As mentioned above, many of the beneficial substances found in grapes work together to create a synergy that has much more positive effects than taking theses substances separately. Scientists are still studying and researching how the chemicals work together.

While a lot of the vitamins and minerals found in grapes are located in the meat of the fruit, many of the above described substances are found in the skin of the grape. A few researchers believe that, while vitamins and minerals are important to healthy processes in the body, flavonoids, pterostilbene and resveratrol, as well as other substances, are just as important to healthy body function, as well as the prevention of cancer, high cholesterol, dangerous blood clots, and brain function deterioration.

Overall, grapes and grape juice are very good for promoting health in the human body. They should be added to an individual's diet and have many positive effects on how a person feels. Not only are they healthy for you, they are a refreshing snack that tastes great.

Sources:

1. http://www.sciencedaily.com
2. http://www.webmd.com
3. http://www.resveratrol.com

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