Grapes are a well-known fruit. People of all ages enjoy grapes; even those who do not eat many fruits will usually grab some grapes to munch on when given the chance.

Though grapes aren’t magical, they do possess some amazing properties. Grapes contain over 1,600 compounds (that we know of) that protect our health and the functioning of our cells. Numerous studies have been conducted to see what effects grapes have on the cardiovascular system. [Spoiler alert!!! The news is good.]

In pre-and post-menopausal women, regular grape consumption resulted in a significant reduction in LDL (bad) cholesterol, triglycerides and inflammation. This reduction decreases the risk of having a stroke or heart attack later in life.

Studies have also looked at men with metabolic syndrome, a disease in which an individual has three or more of the following conditions: high blood pressure, high triglycerides, low HDL (good) cholesterol, abdominal obesity and increased blood glucose levels. It was found that men who ate grapes had better blood flow, which in turn, lowered their blood pressure. Even healthy men between the ages of 30 and 70, regular grape consumption demonstrated beneficial cardiovascular effects. This group also experienced improved blood flow within three hours of eating grapes.

What does this all mean? Grapes make the heart less stressed, more efficient and happy.

For only 90 calories in a ¾ cup serving, it is clear that grapes are a nutritional powerhouse. Interested in shaking things up? Try eating your grapes frozen, pickled, grilled or roasted! Yum!