Health Benefits And Calories In Grapes

The low calories in grapes combined with their juicy sweetness makes this berry one of the few natural health foods that is tasty and hard to resist. The low saturated fats and high water content make the grape an obligatory diet fruit for improving fitness. That is just one out of a huge list of benefits.

For the record, a single grape has a calorie count in the range of two to four, depending on its size and the variety. As per the FDA, one cup weighing in at about 92g will have around 60 calories, give or take a couple. Because of this low calorie count and despite the high carbohydrate level, it is classified as a health fruit.

The color of the grape does not seem to matter as far as calorie count is concerned. However, flavonoids which produce the rich purple color do act as antioxidants that are helpful in keeping the heart healthy and free of clots or blockages. The red variety contains an antioxidant dietary fiber which seems to have a miraculous ability to fight cholesterol and reduce blood pressure.

A grape with a seed has a higher calorie count as compared to the seedless variety. Canned, frozen and dried grapes all have different counts. The canned and frozen ones usually include sweeteners. Raisins have four times as many calories as a fresh grape.

The calories in grape-based drinks are an entirely different matter, where additives and other ingredients have to be factored in. The same considerations hold true for wine, which has an even bigger list of pros and cons. While it does have proven medicinal benefits, wine intake has to be limited in order for the benefits to outweigh side-effects such as alcoholic addiction, diabetes and obesity.

A full 90 percent of every fresh grape is just plain water. The rest is a tiny but powerful pack of nutrients, including lots of Vitamin C and other minerals such as calcium and iron. It is good for everything from migraines to asthma, constipation, indigestion, kidney disorders, blood cholesterol and cataract.

Asthma symptoms are tamped down to a certain degree since the lungs are able to retain a bit of extra moisture. Grapes also help combat kidney disorders by directly reducing acid levels in the system. Some studies have shown that grape intake even helps the body slow down neurodegenerative ailments such as Alzheimer's disease by improving brain functions.

One major and valid concern most people have is about the sugar content. A grape does indeed come with a healthy (or not so healthy) dose of carbohydrates. Some of it is in the form of dietary fiber. The rest is entirely sugar, so intake needs to be carefully monitored for people who are struggling with diabetes and/or obesity. For this reason, grapes are not likely to be found on low-carb diets.

Eating grapes is not going to help people lose weight. However, the low calories in grapes and their rich nutrient content are ideal for a diet which is intended to improve the body's performance and make it stronger. Benefits include better metabolism and higher energy levels, coupled with an improved immunity system.