Is it safe to eat grape seeds?
Grape seeds are small, crunchy, pear-shaped seeds that can be found in the middle of the grape.
A grape may have one or more seeds inside. Some people believe that grape seeds have a bitter taste. While they may not be the tastiest, they are safe for most people. If you choose not to spit them out, they can be chewed and swallowed.
In fact, crushed grape seeds are used to make grape seed oil and grape seed extract, which have become a popular diet food.
However, certain groups of the population may want to avoid eating grape seeds. Some studies have shown that grape seed extract has blood-thinning properties, which may interfere with blood thinning medications or be unsafe for people with bleeding disorders (, , ).
However, most people probably won't be at high risk for this interaction by simply eating a reasonable amount of whole grapes with seeds. To be on the safe side, always consult your doctor to discuss potential risks.
Conclusion:
Grape seeds are safe for most people. Although their natural blood thinning properties may interact with blood thinning medications and should be discussed with your doctor, there are probably no high risks.
Wine varieties
Black wine grapes are also very popular. It is used not only for wine production, but also processed into juice, and also sent fresh to store shelves.
Black Pearl
A mid-early variety, ripening in the southern regions from the second ten days of August to September - early October. It has clusters of medium size, the weight of which does not exceed half a kilogram. Individual fruits are small and round, sometimes they can be slightly elongated.
The taste qualities of fresh fruits are average among other black-fruited varieties. As for the tasting assessments of wine made from grapes of this variety, both the young and especially the aged wines earned the highest ratings from experts.
Black Pearl will also please gardeners and winegrowers: this variety is resistant to low temperatures and annually produces a stable, although not too large, harvest. Unfortunately, it is often affected by diseases typical of grapes - gray rot, oidium, mildew. However, timely treatment with a systemic fungicide will help prevent the spread of the disease and obtain a decent harvest.
Odessa black
This variety ripens very late, not earlier than the beginning of October, so it can only be grown in the south of our country. The clusters and berries of Odessa Black are small. The fruits are round in shape, with a dense skin, like all “winter” varieties, covered with a waxy coating, juicy, sour-sweet, with a taste reminiscent of thorns or cherries.
It tolerates low temperatures well, is quite productive, and resistant to fungal diseases, but for preventive purposes it is advisable to treat the bushes with systemic fungicides. The wine produced from grapes of this variety invariably deserves the highest ratings from tasters. In addition, sparkling wines are produced from Odessa black and processed into juice, which also has an excellent taste.
Currently reading: Grapes: beneficial properties and delicious varieties
Potential Benefits of Eating Grape Seeds
Grape seeds are rich in several plant compounds that may provide additional benefits to your health when consuming grapes.
For example, they are rich in proanthocyanidins, the antioxidant-rich polyphenols that give plants their red, blue, or purple colors (, , , ).
Antioxidants are compounds that are known to reduce inflammation and protect your body from oxidative stress, which can ultimately lead to metabolic syndrome and chronic disease ().
Proanthocyanidins from grape seeds may also help reduce swelling and improve blood flow ().
Antioxidant-rich compounds called flavonoids, particularly gallic acid, catechin and epicatechin, are also found in grapes, with the highest amounts found in the seeds ().
These flavonoids have the ability to scavenge free radicals and have anti-inflammatory properties that may be especially beneficial for your brain. In fact, research shows that they may delay the onset of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (, ).
Grapes also contain melatonin, which becomes most concentrated in the seeds as the grapes ripen ().
Melatonin is a hormone that regulates circadian rhythms, such as your sleep. Taking melatonin orally can help induce fatigue and drowsiness and improve sleep quality. It also acts as an antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties (, ).
Conclusion:
Grape seeds are a rich source of antioxidants, flavonoids and melatonin, which may support heart and brain health, improve sleep and improve circulation.
Composition and calorie content of black grapes (+ vitamins)
According to the study, the concentration of nutrients in black grapes is much higher than in other varieties. A half cup of black berries contains about 48 calories as well as 8 grams of carbohydrates, making them a great healthy option!
1 serving of black seedless grapes (about 49 g):
- Calories: 73
- Fat: 0.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Dietary fiber: 0.7 g
- Sugars: 15.3 g
- Protein: 0.7 g
- Vitamin C: 17%
- Vitamin A: 1%
- Calcium: 13 mg
- Iron: 0.2 mg
Like all fruits, it has no cholesterol. Grapes of all colors are a natural source of antioxidants and other polyphenols and offer many additional health benefits
Meets all requirements as a healthy carbohydrate. A serving contains 24 grams of healthy carbohydrates and 1 gram of fiber.
It has long been classified as a low glycemic index (GI) food with GI values in the range of 43-53. Improved blood sugar balance, improved insulin regulation, and increased insulin sensitivity are currently associated with the consumption of grape juices, grape extracts, and selected phytonutrients contained therein.
Grape seed supplements
Grape seeds are used to make dietary supplements such as grape seed extract, which many people take for its potential anti-inflammatory and circulation-boosting properties.
Grape seed extract is made by grinding grape seeds after extracting and drying them.
It is a concentrated source of antioxidants, which may help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, slow aging, and protect you from chronic diseases such as some types of cancer (, , ).
Grape seed extract also contains gallic acid, a compound that some animal and test-tube studies have shown to inhibit plaque formation in the brain, which can lead to neurodegenerative disease ().
One study found that oral administration of up to 2,500 mg of grape seed extract for 4 weeks was generally safe and well tolerated in humans ().
Whole grape seeds can also be purchased. They are generally intended to be made into tinctures or extracts, or added in powdered form to tea, to produce health benefits.
Some people may experience nausea or stomach upset when taking grape seed extracts, but this remedy is generally considered safe with minimal side effects reported ().
Because grape seed extract is much more concentrated than the grape seeds themselves when consumed in moderation, taking it should be discussed with your healthcare provider, especially if you are taking blood thinning medications (, ,).
Generally, there is no data on the safety of using grape seed supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
One study in pregnant rats found that taking procyanidin grape seed extract had negative effects on the offspring, including insulin resistance. Therefore, it is better for pregnant and lactating women to avoid its use ().
Conclusion:
The most popular grape seed supplement is grape seed extract, which may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. You can also buy whole grape seeds to make a tincture or tea.
How to collect and how long can you store?
Available all year round, peak season is summer and autumn. Choose those that have a plump texture, no surface wrinkles, intact skin, no cuts, cracks or sap leaks, and firmly attached to a healthy-looking green stem. Lift the entire bunch into the air and shake gently; loose berries, if any, fall off easily.
It spoils and ferments at room temperature and is always stored in the refrigerator. Wrap the unwashed grapes loosely in a paper towel and place them in an airtight container or plastic bag. This way they will be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezing reduces some of its flavor, but frozen grapes make a great snack and are especially intriguing for children. To freeze grapes, wash and dry them, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and place in the freezer.
(It is important to pat the grapes dry with a towel because too much moisture can cause the grapes to clump together and form one large, frozen clump of fruit.) Once frozen, transfer the grapes to a heavy plastic bag and return them to the freezer. Black grapes are also dried to produce raisins. Raisins have a particularly high concentration of sugar.
Undoubtedly, black grapes are an excellent gift for a person. The harm and benefits have not yet been fully studied. When growing or buying this berry, you must always remember that excessive consumption is dangerous for the body.
Summarize
While a large number of grapes in stores today are seedless, you can sometimes find grapes with seeds inside.
Grape seeds are crunchy and have a bitter taste, but that doesn't mean you should spit them out. If you choose to consume grape seeds, they are unlikely to harm your health.
Grape seeds contain several compounds that may provide health benefits, such as antioxidants, flavonoids, and melatonin. They are also used to make beneficial products such as grape seed oil and grape seed extract, which are used as supplements.
Although those taking blood thinning medications may be at slight risk if they eat large amounts of grape seeds, most people can consume them without concern.
Products that hinder the absorption of nutrients from grapes
The benefits of grapes for the body can be minimized if they are not combined correctly with other foods.
- It is best to consume grape bunches or juice as an independent food in a separate meal.
- It is allowed to eat berries together with other slightly acidic fruits and berries (apples, oranges, raspberries, kiwi, etc.) and fermented milk products (yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese, kefir, etc.)
- It can be used with meat and cheese as a side dish.
- It is not recommended to eat grapes with starchy foods (bread, porridge, pasta).
- It is strictly forbidden to eat these berries with milk, coffee and soda.
