I took a walk in the yard this week and the wild grape vines are bearing fruit! They aren’t quite ready yet, but will be very soon now. This popular fruit is packed with a lot of important nutrients. Apart from the fruit of the grape plant, the seeds are also beneficial for health as they help reduce swelling and prevent eye diseases caused as a result of diabetes. Grape seed extract also has a high antioxidant content. Due to their high nutrient content, grapes also play an important role in ensuring a healthy and active life.

Grapes are a type of fruit, botanically a berry, that grow in clusters of 15 to 300 on woody vines, and can be crimson, black, dark blue, yellow, green, orange, and pink. "White" grapes are actually green in color, and are evolutionarily derived from the purple grape. Mutations in a couple of genes in the grape prevent the color from forming which would make them purple.

Grapes increase the nitric oxide levels in the blood, which prevents blood clots. Therefore, grapes are an effective way to reduce the chances of heart attacks. Additionally, the antioxidants present in grapes prevent the oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol, which blocks the blood vessels and is the main contributor to various coronary conditions. Grapes also have high a number of flavonoids, which give grapes their color along with being powerful antioxidants. The two main types of antioxidants in grapes are resveratrol and quercetin, and these negate the effects of free radicals that threaten the body and stimulate LDL cholesterol’s harmful effects on arteries. Also, these two antioxidant flavonoids act as a clean-up crew to reduce platelet clumping and filter toxins out of the blood.

Light and white grape juice supplements the iron content in the body and prevents fatigue according to a study by doctors Ghosh and Scheepens. Anemia is a real problem for many people, and eating grapes can help keep iron and mineral levels balanced in the body. A lack of iron can make you sluggish and affect the efficiency of the mind since iron is an essential mineral that impacts a number of bodily functions. However, dark grape juice might not give an iron boost and may actually decrease iron levels. Drinking grape juice also provides a nearly instant energy boost.

Grapes have been found to have strong anti-cancer properties due to the anti-inflammatory effect of resveratrol, which is found in the skin of grapes. It is particularly effective in reducing the chances of colorectal and breast cancer. The anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins in grapes have properties of an anti-proliferate and can inhibit the growth of cancer-causing agents. Grape juice not only prevents the risk of cancer but also suppresses the growth and propagation of cancer cells. The pigments contained in grapes enhance the overall immunity of the body to a wide range of diseases.

Grapes, having a high water content, can substantially reduce the acidity caused by uric acid by inducing urination. They also help eliminate uric acid from the system, thereby reducing the stress and pressure on kidneys. The hydrating power of grapes is also high, which increases the moisture present in the lungs and reduces asthmatic events. Grapes are a wonderful source of micro-nutrients like copper, iron, and manganese, all of which are important in the formation and strength of the bones. Manganese is an extremely important element in the body, which aids in protein metabolism, collagen formation, and nervous system functioning. The high levels of vitamin C, vitamin K, and vitamin A in grapes give a healthy boost to many of your organ systems, particularly your immune system. This means less chance of coming down with common colds, as well as more serious health issues.

Fun Facts: According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 75,866 square kilometers of the world are dedicated to grapes. Approximately 71% of world grape production is used for wine, 27% as fresh fruit, and 2% as dried fruit. A portion of grape production goes to producing grape juice to be reconstituted for fruits canned "with no added sugar" and "100% natural". The area dedicated to vineyards is increasing by about 2% per year. How crazy is that?!

It takes about 2.5 pounds of grapes to make one bottle of wine.

Wine and juice grapes are smaller and sweeter than the plain grapes we eat by the handful. They have seeds, thicker skins, and a stronger flavor.

Grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs! They can cause severe kidney damage and even acute kidney failure and lead to death in some cases.

Ruby Roman grapes are the most expensive. The grapes have been sold at auction for a record of 1 million yen, approximately $8,200, or $315 per berry. WOW!

Grapes are the hardest of the berries to know when they are actually ready to pick. Even if they are the right color (providing you know what color they are supposed to be), they can sometimes take an additional 2-3 weeks to be at peak ripeness. You can help figure it out by paying close attention to the grape. First, the color should be deep and rich and fairly uniform all over. They grapes should be plump and feel firm and juicy to the touch. You can cut them in half and look at the seed color. A ripe grape will have brown colored seeds. However, taste is one of the best indicators of ripeness. The grape should sweeter than tart. Pick up some grapes this weekend and meet me in the kitchen.

Candied Grapes

So easy and so good!

Grapes of your choice (red grapes are my favorite)

Flavored gelatin of your choice (watermelon, green apple, orange and cherry are the favorites in my house)

Rinse grapes well in colander. Fill a cup with water. Dump gelatin of choice into a bowl. Place a toothpick into each grape, then dip each grape into the water to make sure the powder will stick. Then gently roll grape in gelatin powder. Place on a plate and allow to dry completely. Toothpicks can be removed at this point or left to make for easier eating if serving at a party. Then eat as is or chill as desired.

Grape Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Honey

4 sweet potatoes

2 cups red grapes (seedless preferred)

1 tsp grapeseed oil or 1 tsp high heat oil (olive oil will not work here) 1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper 4oz cream cheese

2 tsps honey (raw if possible) 1 pinch ground cinnamon 1 pinch ground nutmeg

Honey, for drizzling

Preheat oven to 350°F. Use a fork to poke some holes in each sweet potato, then wrap in aluminum foil. Bake until tender, about 45 to 60 minutes. Unwrap, slit down the middle of each potato and let sit until cool enough to handle. Meanwhile, increase heat to 450°F and place grapes on a baking sheet. Drizzle grapes with oil, season with a pinch of pepper and salt if desired. Roast until they begin to burst, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove and let cool. Use a spoon to gently remove the flesh of all potatoes while leaving the skins intact. Mash potatoes with cream cheese, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and honey. Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed. Then, scoop flesh back into skins (re-heat in oven if desired), top with grapes and drizzle with honey.

Recipe adapted from geniuskitchen.com .

Grape Granita

1 cup unsweetened grape juice

2 Tbsps sugar

2 (4 x 1-inch) orange rind strips

1 cinnamon stick

3 1/2 cups seedless red grapes

Place first 4 ingredients in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat 3 minutes, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove pan from heat. Cover and let stand 1 hour. Discard rind and cinnamon. Combine juice mixture and grapes in a blender; process until almost smooth. Pour mixture through a fine sieve into a bowl and then discard solids. Pour grape mixture into an 8-inch square glass or ceramic baking dish; skim off any foam. Cover and freeze until partially frozen (about 1 hour). Scrape with a fork, crushing any lumps. Freeze 1 hour or until completely frozen. Scrape entire mixture with a fork until fluffy. Scoop into glasses, and serve immediately.

Recipe adapted from Oxmoor House.

Mulled Grape Cider

5 pounds grapes

8 cups water, divided

1 1/2 cups sugar

8 whole cloves

4 cinnamon sticks

Dash ground nutmeg

In a large saucepan, combine grapes and 2 cups water and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Press through a strainer. Reserve juice and discard skins and seeds. Pour juice through a double layer of cheesecloth into a 5-qt. slow cooker. Add the sugar, cloves, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg and remaining water. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours. Discard cloves and cinnamon sticks if desired. I always leave mine in until the drink is pretty much gone. It just intensifies the flavors as you drink the cider.

Recipe adapted from tasteofhome.com

Grape Gelatin

2 packages (1/4 ounce each) unflavored gelatin

2 pounds red seedless grapes (about 5 1/2 cups), plus more, halved, for garnish

1/2 cup sugar

2/3 cup sour cream

2 Tbsps. honey

In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water and set aside to soften. Meanwhile, place grapes, sugar, and 1 cup water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, mashing occasionally with a spoon or potato masher, until grape skins are loosened, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in softened gelatin until dissolved. Strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing to extract as much liquid as possible (add water if necessary to yield 3 cups); discard solids. Divide mixture evenly among four serving glasses and refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours. In a small bowl, stir together sour cream and honey. Spoon over gelatins, dividing evenly, and spread gently to edges. Serve immediately or chill up to 2 days. Just before serving, garnish with halved grapes if desired.

Recipe adapted from marthastewart.com

Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie

1 banana

2 Tbsps. peanut butter

1 container vanilla yogurt

1 cup almond milk

2 cups grapes of choice

Add all ingredients to blender and process until it has reached the consistency you desire. The color of your smoothie will depend on which grapes you use.

Tip: You can easily add ice for a frozen smoothie or you can freeze the bananas and grapes. Sometimes, I add a scoop of ice cream instead of yogurt!