Energetics of Grapes: Food of the Gods
For many years the grape was considered the “fruit of the gods” and was closely tied to Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, agriculture, and fertility. The cultivation of grapes can be dated as far back as biblical times.
Grapes are also credited with providing an explanation for the French Paradox. The French Paradox is an interesting phenomenon where low rates of heart disease are present in France, even though the culture is known for eating a diet very high in fats. It is said that the high levels of phytonutrients in grapes, grape juice, and red wine might be the key to their heart health.
Grapes fall into 3 classifications: table grapes, wine grapes, and raisin grapes. Table grapes are the type of grape people enjoy raw as snacks, in salads, and in desserts. Wine grapes are used in viniculture to produce wine. Raisin grapes, as the name suggests, are used to make dried fruit.
Varieties
Grapes also fall into 3 main varieties. They are European, North American, and French Hybrid.
The European grapes include Thompson, Emperor, and Champagne Black Corinth. Thompson is seedless and amber-green in color. Emperor is seeded and purple in color. Champagne Black Corinth is tiny in size and purple in color. Most European varieties feature skin that adheres closely to their flesh. They are available throughout most of the year.
How to Choose and Store
For the best tasting grapes make sure that you pick ones that are fully ripe, which are firm and plump. Also, make sure that the stems are fully attached to the grapes. Avoid grapes that are wrinkly, mushy, or damaged (overripe). Overripe grapes have lost most, if not all their flavor and nutritional value.
Proper storage is key for yummy grapes. Grapes should be stored in the fridge to help increase their life. At room temperature grapes only keep for 2-3 days and when stored in the fridge they can last 5-7 days.
Nutrition
Grapes have many health-promoting nutrients, but one of the most beneficial is the high levels of flavonoids. Flavonoids are phytonutrients that give the grape it’s purple coloring. The more purple the grape, the higher concentration of flavonoids. These include catechins, epicatechins, quercetin, and a second type of flavonoid called resveratrol. These compounds appear to decrease the risk of heart disease by reducing platelet clumping and harmful clotting and protecting LDL cholesterol from free-radical damage that will initiate the artery-damaging actions of LDL. Resveratrol alone has been found to inhibit the production of a molecule that constricts blood vessels. as well as one that causes the production of excessive collagen, which then leads to the stiffening of the heart muscles. In recent studies resveratrol has been found to inhibit the growth of highly invasive breast cancers, as well as even triggering programmed cell death of these cancer cells. Another heart health benefit is that grapes help lower blood pressure by increasing the body’s nitric oxide levels, a compound that helps relax blood vessels.
Grapes are also an excellent source of free-radical-scavenging vitamin C and manganese, heart-healthy vitamin B6 and potassium, and energy-producing vitamin B1.
Energetics
Grapes are neutral in temperature and sweet & sour in flavor. The sweet flavor of grapes leads to their ability to increase or “nourish” Qi, which then helps the body increase its production of blood, which is why it’s known as a blood tonic in both western and eastern medicine. Dark grapes are better for blood-building needs, such as anemia, and for strengthening the body.
In general, grapes benefit the Liver and Kidneys, which is why they help to strengthen bones (Kidney) and sinews (Liver), as well as act as a diuretic to help with edema and urinary difficulty with or without pain. Grapes have cell salts that have been found to help improve the function of glands and the liver, which is why grape juice has been used historically as a remedy for liver disorders such as hepatitis and jaundice.
Grapes have been used to treat rheumatism and arthritis, especially when marked by signs of coldness (more stiffness than inflammation, worse with weather changes, better with the application of heat, etc.). A poultice of mashed grapes improves infected areas and can help to reduce growths. For this purpose, a fresh poultice is applied daily and kept in place for at least 8 hours.
Caution: Excessive consumption of grapes (frequency or amount) may diminish visual acuity.
Brussel Sprouts with Grapes
Ingredients
2 pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed and scored
2 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
¼ cup olive oil
4 cloves garlic, crushed
2 bunches green onions, chopped
1 cup seedless red grapes, halved
4 tablespoons butter
Preparation
Place the Brussels sprouts, water and salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil 10 minutes, or until sprouts are tender but firm.
Over medium low heat in a large saucepan, mix the olive oil, garlic and green onions. Slowly cook and stir 5 minutes, until the green onions are soft. Mix in the Brussels sprouts, grapes and butter. Cover and simmer 20 minutes.
Source
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/22263/brussels-sprouts-with-grapes/
Mateljan, George. The World’s Healthiest Foods: Essential Guide for the Healthiest Way of Eating. George Mateljan Foundation: Seattle, 2007. Print.
Pitchford, Paul. Healing with Whole Foods: Oriental Traditions and Modern Nutrition. North Atlantic Books: Berkeley, 1993. Print.