Health Benefits of Grapes

The late warm summer sunshine rises the sugar level in grapes, so it is time for the harvest in the vineyards.

100g of these sweet tasty fruits contain 70 kcal, no fat and no cholesterol. Resveratrol is an important nutrient in grapes that may offer an extensive health benefits. Resveratrol is specially linked to improving blood sugar regulation by affecting carbohydrate metabolism. Grapes are 82% of water, which can help your skin stay hydrated. They are excellent source of vitamin C and K and minerals of potassium, calcium and iron. Grapes of all colours are a natural source of antioxidants, flavonoids and other polyphenols.  One serving of grapes contains 24g carbohydrate and 1g of fibre.

Grapes can help reduce blood pressure, prevent inflammation from oxidative stress, improve blood flow, and protect your vascular system. They have anti-inflammatory effects; the antioxidants in grapes may reduce cellular damage by protecting cell membranes by limiting the chemical reactions that trigger inflammation. Eating grapes can reduce the risk of some cancers by protecting cellular DNA reducing oxidative stress and reducing reactions that recruit tumour development. The phenolic compounds in grapes are present after the fermentation process. 

Grapes contain natural sugar, but they are low glycemic index (GI) food.  This may increase your risk of weight gain if you eat too many in one sitting, the calories will add up.

The regular moderate wine consumption reduces the risk of chronic diseases and improves your health.

Healthy Gluten- Free Snack

Ms H

The date palm, Phoenix dactylifera, is a flowering plant species in the Arecaceae palm family farmed for its edible sweet fruits.

Nutritional values:

Dates are good source of dietary fibre, carbohydrates, sugar and protein. They contain essential minerals such as calcium, iron, phosphorous, sodium, potassium, magnesium and zinc. They also contain vitamins such as folate, vitamin A, vitamin K, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin.

Health benefits:

·      Dates are the perfect snack for an immediate burst of energy due to their high natural sugar: glucose, fructose and sucrose contents. 

·      Dates consist of organic sulphur, which has a meaningful amount of health benefits, including the reduction of allergic reactions.

·      The vitamins and the potassium promote a healthy and responsive nervous system and also improve the speed and alertness of brain activity.

·      They are helpful in keeping your heart healthy and reducing the risk of stroke and other heart related diseases.

·      Dates are frequently used as a cure for alcoholic intoxication.

·      Recent research has shown that dates may reduce the risk and impact of abdominal cancer. 

·      Minerals present in dates are beneficial to bone health.

·      Eating dates may reduce night blindness.

Health Benefits of Kohlrabi

Ms H

Kohlrabi or turnip cabbage Brassica oleracea, Gongylodes group a biennial plant that  takes two years to complete its biological lifecycle.

Nutrition values of kohlrabi:

Low in calories 27kcal /100g and high in fibre, excellent vegetable for weight loss.

Vitamins; vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B6 and vitamin K

Minerals: potassium, iron, magnesium, sodium, calcium and phosphorous

Health benefits of kohlrabi:

Its high potassium content enables it to increase blood circulation throughout the body, oxygenating key areas, and lowering blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular events like strokes or heart attack. The high potassium content also helps in our nerve and muscle functions. The significant levels of iron found in kohlrabi with the potassium content, prevent iron deficiency. Vegetables like kohlrabi, with high manganese, iron, and calcium contents prevent osteoporosis. Vitamin A can help to prevent macular degeneration and slow down or eliminate the appearance of cataracts.

Health Benefits of Chives

Ms H

Chives, Allium schoenoprasum is a perennial plant. Chives are grown for their scapes, which are used for culinary herbs. The ancient Romani used chives for fortune telling. Chives have been cultivated in Europe since the medieval period.

Nutritional values:

·      Protein 6%

·      Minerals:

potassium

calcium

magnesium

iron

·      Vitamins:

vitamin C

vitamin A

vitamin K

vitamin B₆

folate

niacin

riboflavin

thiamine

The health benefits of chives:

·      Chives contain high level of vitamin A and its green leaves contain other flavonoid-phenolic antioxidants, which are together offer protection from lung and oral cavity cancers.

·      Chives are rich in vitamin K, which has a potential role in bone health

·      Vitamin K in your diet also helps limiting neuronal damage in the brain, used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

·      Vitamin K benefits to prevent hardening of the arteries so having chives in your diet helps to prevent coronary artery disease and heart failure.

·      Fresh chives are wealthy sources of folates ( folic acid) essential for DNA synthesis and cell division.