Grapes

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Jason says...

Grapes add a beautiful sweetness to a juice, they are also a great snack if those sugar cravings kick in. They are very high in antioxidants particularly the dark variety.

Juice or smoothie?

Juice, but can also be added to a smoothie. When juicing, there is no need to remove the stalk, just pop the whole bunch into the funnel and remember to pack tightly for maximum extraction.. You can also freeze grapes and then add them directly to a smoothie.Juicy Benefits

Grapes are nutritionally best known for their beneficial effects on the heart. How often do we hear that "a glass of wine a day is good for the heart"? This is even reputed by doctors, however it is of course the grapes that are used to make the wine that hold the significant health properties. Promoting the fact that a glass of freshly extracted grape juice per day is excellent for the heart is not quite so press worthy or as important to promote by those keen to justify their daily wine intake!

Red, purple and black grapes in particular contain chemical pigments called oligomeric proanthocyanidins, which are known to reduce the oxidation of LDL cholesterol and therefore prevent damage to the arteries. When LDL cholesterol is oxidated in the body, it creates inflammation which is what can harm the arteries and lead to blood clots.

These unique pigment compounds (oligomeric proanthocyanidins) have also been shown to relax the muscles that line the blood vessel walls, meaning they can widen the blood vessels and therefore reduce the blood pressure.

Grapes also contain the antioxidant resveratrol, which is known to reduce the build-up of plaques within the artery walls and therefore reduce the risk of clot formation.

Top tip

The purple, red and black grapes are much higher in antioxidants than the white grapes. 

Vitamins, minerals and extras

  • A, C, Folate
  • B, C, E beta-carotene
  • Iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc
  • Pectin

Juice Study

The University of Wisconsin found that drinking 3 glasses of purple grape juice per day reduced platelet aggregation by 40% (platelet aggregation increases the risk of blood clotting). They found purple grape juice to be 66% more effective at treating heart disease than red wine and as effective as aspirin for people at risk of heart disease.  

Can be found in the following recipes

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