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For Grapes
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Grapes are known to be
healthy. And now research says that they are particularly good for
women. Doctors at the Institute of Cancer Research, London, believe
grapes could help women avoid the painful scarring associated with
breast cancer treatment.
British doctors claim
that new studies indicate that the antioxidants in grapes protect
against radiation fibrosis caused by the continuous release of free
radicals, triggered when a patient undergoes radiotherapy. The free
radicals cause havoc in the cells of a cancer patient, can cause DNA
damage and lead to the formation of stiff and painful tissue around
the breast. Antioxidants contained in grapes can mop up these
potentially damaging molecules. This study was recently quoted on
the BBC website. |
Some ways to work grapes into your
diet:
– Reach for grape juice instead of soda.
– Serve grapes Mediterranean style - as an
after-dinner dessert with a slice of cheese.
– Freeze grapes for a cooling summer treat.
– Add grapes to tuna, chicken or Caesar
salad.
– Add them sliced to your cereal in the
morning.
– Make a scrumptious breakfast smoothie
with grapes, honey and yoghurt (1/2 cup
seedless green grapes, 1/2 cup milk, 1/2
cup yoghurt, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1/8 tsp
vanilla essence, 2 ice cubes, crushed. Put
all ingredients in a mixer and blend at
high speed for 15 seconds).
– Pack them in lunch boxes for work or
school. |
The US Department of
Agriculture has also found another compound in grapes - pterostilbene -
that has anti-cancer properties. Preliminary research also shows that it
can lower blood glucose.
Grapes can be a woman's best friend as they contain bioflavonoids.
According to Dr Susan M Lark in her book, 'The Menopause Self Help Book',
bioflavonoids can be used for estrogen replacement and can control
symptoms of menopause, such as hot flushes, fatigue, irritability and mood
swings.
Grapes are nutrition powerhouses too. They have a lot of boron, which is
necessary for bone formation and protects against osteoporosis. "Ten
grapes have about 40 calories and provide a good amount of vitamin C.
Besides, they are full of potassium and Vitamin A and have some calcium
too," says Dr Pratima Kaushik, chief dietician at the Vidyasagar Institute
of Mental Health and Neuro Surgery (VIMHANS).
Research also suggests that the extract of grape seeds offers several
benefits. Its ability to bond with collagen promotes a youthful skin, cell
health, elasticity and flexibility. The extract helps protect the body
from sun damage and improves vision. "Grape seed extract contains a
powerful antioxidant called proanthocyanidins (much stronger than vitamin
E and vitamin C), which strengthens capillaries, arteries and veins,
improves circulation and reduces nerve damage in the eye," says Dr Marc
Grossman, optometrist and licensed acupuncturist in USA.
Rich in flavonoids (each tiny grape holds up to 1,000 different flavonoids),
this fruit provides a safety patrol for the cardiovascular system and
helps slow the ageing process. "Several studies show that fresh grapes and
wine are equally cardioprotective," concurs Dr Dipak K Das, principal
investigator of a study done in the University of Connecticut and later
published by the New York Academy of Sciences. This particular study found
that grapes protect the heart and blood vessels against oxidative tissue
damage, similar to the well-known effects of red wine.
New research, like that of Dr John Folts of the University of Wisconsin
Medical School, claims that grapes may have a more protective
anti-clotting effect than aspirin. While aspirin and red wine both have
anti-clotting activity of 45 per cent, ordinary grape juice has 75 per
cent.
Grapes do a marvelous job of controlling hypertension. According to Health
World Online's website www.healthy.net, one way of treating hypertension
is to consume one cup of grape juice and one cup of celery juice each with
warm water three times a day for 20 days. After 20 days, rest for five to
seven days, then begin another 20-day treatment.
So, go for grapes today.
–
Kavita Devgan
March 9, 2003
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By arrangement with
Womens Feature Service
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