Drinking a delicious glass of grape juice can be a mouth-puckering treat, but there are also certain key nutrients in it that can lead to various health benefits.

What is Grape Juice?

There are between 5,000 and 10,000 different subspecies and cultivars of these grapes, most of them derived from Vitis vinifera. Hence, each one could taste slightly different, particularly if it is homemade. Grape juice has long been a popular drink for adults and children, but much of it you find in the store is also packed with sugar, making it decidedly less healthy.

Homemade grape juice, however, benefits from many of the same components as the grapes themselves, as well as wine, offering a surprisingly large number of potential health benefits. While the concentration of nutrients in juice is less than in the grapes themselves, it can be a tart and delectable beverage that will give you an energetic boost. Most of it is made from darker, purple grapes, which contain the highest level of antioxidants, but white, green, and red grapes are also used to make different forms of this juice.

Grape Juice Nutrition

Grape juice is nutrient rich in vitamin C (more than 100% of your daily requirement per cup) and dietary fiber. It also contains significant levels of iron, calcium, and protein. 1 cup of this juice also contains about 150 calories, and barely any fat. This juice also contains high levels of anthocyanins, tannins, resveratrol, and other phenolic compounds, all of which act as antioxidants in the body.

Grape Juice Benefits

Grape juice has many benefits that include regulating the blood pressure, plus improving skinquality, hair health, immune system, and cognitive health, among others.

Skin Care

With plenty of antioxidants, this juice is an excellent way to prevent signs of aging and improve the appearance of your skin.  If you regularly drink homemade grape juice, you can help to prevent wrinkles and other age spots, as well as speed the healing of scars and blemishes.

Improves Brain Function

The anthocyanins and resveratrol found in the grape juice are both linked to improving cognition by reducing oxidative stress.  These antioxidants can reduce plaque deposition and help to prevent neurodegenerative conditions.

Anticancer Potential

Grapes juice, like the fruit itself as well as wine, is a rich source of resveratrol.  This is a polyphenolic compound which draws interest for its potential anticancer properties. A recent study published in the Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Journal suggests that along with antioxidant properties, this compound could also offer protection against colon cancer.  While it needs to be supported by further studies, resveratrol is believed to have the potential to be effective against prostate, skin, hepatic, and breast cancer. 

Regulates Blood Pressure

With a small amount of dietary fiber and a healthy level of potassium, grape juice is great for optimizing heart health and lowering blood pressure, which can protect you against atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes, among others.

Hair Care

Some people apply this juice directly to their scalp, as it can reduce inflammatory conditions, but other people simply drink it. The boost of concentrated nutrients and minerals can help improve follicle health, as well as the luster of your locks.

Boosts Energy

There is a surprisingly high level of carbohydrates in this fruit juice, which makes grape juice an exceptional energy booster. A glass or two of this juice can sustain you through your morning or afternoon, but since these natural sugars will eventually wear off, beware of the possible sugar crash!