And yes, wine is one of them.
Recently at the grocery store, I saw that grapes were on sale and decided to buy a bag just for fun. I don’t normally eat grapes all that much, especially as a snack, so I decided to live dangerously. It reminded me that grapes aren’t something you just throw into your kids lunch bag and hope for the best, they are delicious and healthy too!
Grapes were originally cultivated around 8,000 years ago in the Middle East, and have since been made into all kinds of things from jellies and jams, to juices, raisins, and wine. That being said, they have some surprising health benefits as well:
Grapes contain polyphenols like resveratrol (found in the skin of red grapes), which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Resveratrol has been found to slow or prevent the growth of tumors in certain cancers like skin, breast, colon, stomach, and liver.
Red wine also contains resveratrol, which is one of the reasons it is considered healthy to have a glass of red wine per day. I would be betraying my fellow mothers everywhere if I didn’t mention wine once in this post.
Grapes contain both fiber and potassium, which supports heart health and a healthy digestive system. Potassium can also help improve blood pressure, and fiber will keep your immune system working properly.
READ MORE: Five Superfoods For Better Heart Health
Quercetin is a helpful flavonoid found in grapes that can alleviate the symptoms of allergies, which is especially helpful during season changes.
Grapes contain lutein, and zeaxanthin, two antioxidants which help maintain eye health and neutralize free radicals.
If those health benefits weren’t reason enough for you to go grab a bag of grapes, here is one last, super helpful ‘mom-tip’ bonus.
Substitute your kids’ popsicles for red grapes.
I know that sounds impossible and ill-advised. But if you freeze red grapes, they taste and feel just like healthy popsicles. Just make sure you wash them when you get them home, then let them dry before putting them in the freezer.
Try it, it works, you’re welcome.
Just one more way we can trick our kids into developing healthy eating habits!
Awesome post! Things can be so difficult when it comes to keeping to a strict diet… I believe we can learn so very much about people when we hear what they love to eat, therefore, karenmsutton, I want to ask you if your favorite food ever changed over the years.