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are grapes healthy for you?

the majority of grapes grown in canada are, unsurprisingly, used to make wine.

by chris arnold
published aug 09, 2022
read time 2 minute read
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read time 2 minute read
join the conversation
are grapes healthy for you?
grapes are ready for picking and eating once they’re rich in colour, easy to crush but not shrivelled up. getty
grapes, the tiny fruits on the vine ready for picking, are among the most enjoyed in the world thanks to their secondary — or primary, depending on who you ask — use in wine. outside of beverage sales, the tiny fruit makes a quick snack, a great addition to desserts and a nice alternative to water for hydration purposes, as they’re actually 82 per cent water.

grapes grown in canada are primarily used for making wine

grapes are grown and enjoyed around the world and able to thrive in a variety areas. 
china has recently developed the world’s second largest grape growing area of almost two million acres, according to world atlas. here, grapes are primarily used for eating, with wine preparation being the second-most use for the fruit. in europe, italy, france and spain are the largest producers of wine grapes, with spain alone producing more than 120,000 tons of the berries. 
the united states is the third largest eating-grape producing country in the world, growing almost one million metric tons annually. in canada, grapes are grown primarily in ontario, b.c., quebec, and nova scotia, although the majority are used for wine, according to statistics canada.

when are grapes ready to eat

grapes are ready for picking and eating once they’re rich in colour, easy to crush but not shrivelled up, tightly attached to the stem and full flavoured. one of the best ways to check is by taking a grape off the vine and giving it a good old-fashioned taste test, according to almanac. 

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the specific amount of time it takes for the grape to ripen depends on factors such as temperature, soil, and water. most grapes will also continue to ripen for 10-20 days after they’re picked, according to the agricultural economists.

grapes are high in potassium, antioxidants

grapes are a great source of antioxidants, which can help fight cancer by breaking down free radicals (molecules that damage cells and can cause cancer,) according to the cleveland clinic.
the berries are also high in potassium, which can help with blood pressure and heart disease. 

are grapes a carb?

grapes are surprisingly high in carbs. one cup of the berries can have more than 27 grams of carbs, according to livestrong.
grapes are also high in both sugar and fibre, a combination that, when eaten in excess, can cause some less than desirable side-effects in the gut, according to the times of india.

you can eat and drink grapes

let’s get the obvious one out of the way. 
wine. 
wine is made of grapes, and as one of the most popular forms of alcohol on the planet, it’s also one of the more popular ways to enjoy grapes. 
frozen grapes make an excellent summer snack. by plucking the grapes from the vine, adding
them into a bag and then sticking that in the freezer, you’ll be set to beat a hot day. 
powered by
canadian society for exercise physiology
story continues below
in the winter, grape and cranberry crisp
makes a refreshing and unique dessert. it’s similar to a standard apple crisp with oats, brown sugar, and butter, but with the fruits swapped. and, of course, it’s best served over vanilla ice cream. 
 
chris arnold is a toronto-based writer.
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