May We Live Long and in Good Health, with the Help of Grapes

A series of studies published earlier this year yielded some exciting results about the health benefits of grapes, showing a variety of ways this tasty fruit promotes good health.

Liver

We really are what we eat! Researcher Dr. John Pezzuto says, “as shown by our research with dietary grapes, [food] actually changes our genetic expression.”¹ When it comes to liver health, grapes were found to reduce the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by altering the genetic expression linked with the disease.²

Heart

Show your heart some love. Grapes are a great source of antioxidants, particularly resveratrol and proanthocyanins. These antioxidants are well-researched for their cardio-protective and anti-inflammatory effects. Resveratrol is concentrated in the grape skins and is the antioxidant that gives wine its healthy reputation.^{3 4} Cheers to that!

Brain

Keep your treasured memories close, and a bowl of organic grapes even closer. One study looking at the effect of dietary grapes on the brain showed that grapes support cognitive function and memory. The study also looked at the effect of grapes on our emotions and found positive results when it comes to supporting mental health.⁵ Though more research is needed, this is an exciting start.

If all these juicy health benefits for our organs weren’t enough, one study found that eating grapes supports longevity.⁶ So just as Spock taught us on Star Trek, may we all “live long and prosper” with organic grapes!

The Deadliest Pesticide in America?

Paraquat is a highly toxic pesticide used in conventional farming of soybeans, cotton, and you guessed it, grapes. It’s the deadliest pesticide used in conventional U.S. agriculture, capable of killing a human with just a sip, and has been associated with Parkinson’s disease.⁷ The pesticide was banned in the UK in 2007 and in Canada in 2022. So why are we still using it here in the U.S.? It’s an herbicide that kills weeds that have become resistant to another toxic herbicide, glyphosate.⁸ But organic farming methods show us there is another way. Using cover crops, for example, is an organic method that promotes healthy, nutrient-rich soil and biodiversity while keeping weeds at bay. Choosing organic grapes helps to keep these toxic chemicals away from farm workers, the environment, and our families. It also means reaping the most from the health benefits grapes offer—as we know organic fruits and veggies are higher in antioxidants and other nutrients when compared to conventional.⁹ So a toast to your health, with a glass of organic wine and a refreshing bowl of cold organic grapes!

Try Our California Cobb Salad with Grapes

We’ve added juicy organic seedless grapes so that every bite has a mix of crunchy, soft, sweet, and salty. Perfect for eating while sitting outside on the porch enjoying a summer evening!

GET THE RECIPE

References

1. Addition of Grapes to Diet Improves Health and Lifespan, New Studies Suggest. Sci News. (2022, August 11). https://sci.news/medicine/dietary-grapes-11086.html
2. Beyoğlu, D., Park, E. J., Quiñones-Lombraña, A., Dave, A., Parande, F., Pezzuto, J. M., & Idle, J. R. (2022). Addition of grapes to both a standard and a high-fat Western pattern diet modifies hepatic and urinary metabolite profiles in the mouse. Food & Function, 13(16), 8489-8499.
3. Bertelli, A. A. A., & Das, D. K. (2009). Grapes, Wines, Resveratrol, and Heart Health. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, 54(6), 468–476. https://doi.org/10.1097/FJC.0b013e3181bfaff3
4. Mulero, J., Pardo, F., & Zafrilla, P. (2010). Antioxidant activity and phenolic composition of organic and conventional grapes and wines. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 23(6), 569–574.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2010.05.001
5. Parande, F., Dave, A., Park, E.-J., McAllister, C., & Pezzuto, J. M. (2022). Effect of Dietary Grapes on Female C57BL6/J Mice Consuming a High-Fat Diet: Behavioral and Genetic Changes. Antioxidants, 11(2), 414. MDPI AG. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/antiox11020414
6. Dave, A., Park, E.-J., Kumar, A., Parande, F., Beyoğlu, D., Idle, J. R., & Pezzuto, J. M. (2022). Consumption of Grapes Modulates Gene Expression, Reduces Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, and Extends Longevity in Female C57BL/6J Mice Provided with a High-Fat Western-Pattern Diet. Foods, 11(13), 1984. MDPI AG. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/foods11131984
7. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2011, February 11). NIH study finds two pesticides associated with parkinson’s disease. National Institutes of Health. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news- releases/nih-study-finds-two-pesticides-associated-parkinsons-disease
8. Moran, G. (2023, March 22). Paraquat, the deadliest chemical in US agriculture, goes on trial. Civil Eats. https://civileats.com/2023/03/22/paraquat-the-deadliest-chemical-in-us-agriculture-goes-on-trial/
9. Zahedipour, P., Asghari, M., Abdollahi, B., Alizadeh, M., & Danesh, Y. R. (2019). A comparative study on quality attributes and physiological responses of organic and conventionally grown table grapes during cold storage. Scientia Horticulturae, 247, 86–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2018.11.077