July 7, 2024, 4:00 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
Grape season is finally here again! The yellow, green, red, and dark blue fruits are adding color to supermarkets right now. But it’s not just their appearance that makes them appealing; their nutrients and juicy-sweet taste do too. They’re hard to resist! But why do your fingers sometimes smell afterward?
In supermarkets, at farmers markets, in organic stores–grapes are available everywhere right now. Their sweet taste makes these juicy fruits a popular snack in between meals. According to the Federal Center for Nutrition (BZFE), grapes are among the most popular fruits in Germany, alongside apples and bananas. On average, each German consumes more than five kilograms of grapes per year. That’s a good reason to take a closer look at what’s inside these fruits and how healthy they are.
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Overview
Grapes Are Full of Important Nutrients
Grapes offer valuable nutrients that positively impact health. They contain fiber and fruit acids that keep the digestive system active. “The fruits also score with many vitamins, including B vitamins like folate,” says Antje Gahl from the German Nutrition Society (DGE) to the dpa. Folate, or folic acid, is involved in many metabolic processes and is good for the cardiovascular system. Additionally, grapes are rich in potassium, an electrolyte important for muscles, blood pressure, and the heart. Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron are also found in grapes.
Also interesting: The Effects of Grape Seed Extract as a Dietary Supplement
The Darker, the Healthier
Dark blue, reddish, yellowish, or light green: The color of grapes not only indicates their taste. “Reddish and blue grapes are clearly healthier,” explains internist and nutritionist Prof. Johannes Georg Wechsler from Munich. Compared to light grapes, they contain a higher proportion of secondary plant compounds, which have anti-inflammatory effects in the body.
Nutritional Table for Grapes
With or Without – The Seed Question
It also makes a difference whether you eat grapes with or without seeds. “For healthy people, I recommend eating grapes with seeds,” says nutrition expert Gahl, “as the tannins and fiber they contain have a digestive effect.” However, for certain intestinal diseases, it is advisable to eat seedless grapes. In case of doubt, consult your doctor.
“They contain secondary plant compounds just like the pulp,” says Wechsler.
Are Sulfured Grapes Harmful to Health?
Grapes are back in season! The yellow, green, red, and dark blue fruits are adding color to supermarkets right now. But it’s not just their appearance that makes them appealing; their nutrients and juicy-sweet taste do too. They’re hard to resist! But why do your fingers sometimes smell afterward?
In supermarkets, at farmers markets, in organic stores–grapes are available everywhere right now. Their sweet taste makes these juicy fruits a popular snack in between meals. According to the Federal Center for Nutrition (BZFE), grapes, along with apples and bananas, are among the most popular fruits in Germany. On average, each German consumes more than five kilograms of grapes per year. That’s a good reason to take a closer look at what’s inside these fruits and how healthy they are.
“It depends,” says Wechsler. Grapes are considered highly sensitive fruits. Pesticides–including sulfur–are used to improve their shelf life. Grapes are among the fruits that often show traces of multiple pesticides in tests. According to the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL), residues of more than ten different pesticides were even found in some samples in 2019. However, it is generally considered safe as long as the levels are within the green zone, they say.
“However, the interactions of pesticides on health are not yet fully understood,” warns Wechsler, who is the president of the Federal Association of German Nutritionists (BDEM). He says that so far, it is assumed that one gram of sulfur per kilogram of grapes is considered safe.
So before enjoying them, always remember: “Wash the grapes thoroughly under warm running water,” says Wechsler. This thorough washing will also dissipate the sulfur smell–and your fingers will smell less.
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How Sensible Is the Grape Diet?
Grapes have about 70 kilocalories per 100 grams, which makes them higher in calories than some other fruits. However, their high water content and fiber make some people swear by a so-called grape diet, where they consume about one kilogram of grapes per day over short periods to shed a few pounds. “It’s not advisable to do it for more than two to three days in a row,” says Gahl. “It’s far too one-sided.” While their high content of fruit and grape sugar makes them a great energy source, relying solely on them for weight loss means missing out on important nutrients for a balanced diet, including proteins.
Grapes Taste Especially Good with Cheese
Grapes have valuable nutrients that positively impact health. They contain fiber and fruit acids that keep the digestive system active. “The fruits also score with many vitamins, including B vitamins like folate,” reveals Antje Gahl from the German Nutrition Society. Folate is involved in many metabolic processes and is good for the cardiovascular system. Additionally, grapes are rich in potassium, an electrolyte important for muscles, blood pressure, and the heart. Calcium is also found in grapes, an essential mineral for bones and teeth.
Grapes are especially delicious with cheese, says Antje Gahl. She recommends enjoying the fruits with cheese. Also really tasty: a few grapes as a snack with salad or as a refreshing treat on hot days–even as a substitute for ice cubes in drinks.