Grapes & raisins
Vitis vinifera
Fruits. Folk & home remedies and Modern nutrition.
Also called Table grape, Raisin, Sultana
Pinyin: Pú Tao
Spanish: Uva
Grapes are sweet berries eaten fresh or dried as raisins, and grape skin and seed extracts are sold for their plant compounds.
Did you know? Grapes are botanically berries, which surprises many people.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Heart health. Grape skins contain resveratrol (a plant compound) and other compounds studied in lab and animal work. Human trials of grapes or resveratrol are small and mixed.Traditional proof
- Blood sugar. A few small studies found raisins raise blood sugar less than candy, but raisins are still high in sugar.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
Grapes have been grown in the Middle East and Mediterranean for thousands of years for food, raisins and wine. Folk remedies used grape leaves and juice for digestion and inflammation, though these uses are not well tested.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Antioxidant, Nutritive. Energy: neutral.
How people take it
Eaten fresh or as raisins. Grape seed extract and resveratrol pills are sold, but they are not the same as eating grapes.
Food and juice.
Where to get it
Grown in vineyards worldwide, with major crops in China, Italy, Spain, Turkey, the US (California) and Chile. Sold fresh, dried (raisins, sultanas, currants), as juice, and as seed or skin extracts. Key nutrients: potassium, fiber, vitamin K and polyphenols.
Be careful
Raisins are concentrated sugar, so portion size matters for people with diabetes. Grape seed extract and resveratrol pills have had little good human testing and may add to blood thinner effects.
Avoid if: bleeding disorders.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Red grape skins are a natural source of resveratrol, though amounts are small.
- Works well together
Raisins and cinnamon are a classic pair in bread and oatmeal.
- Works well together
Raisins are a common add-in for oatmeal and granola.
- Use cautionBlood thinners (warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Plavix, daily aspirin)
Grape seed extract and resveratrol may add to blood thinner effects. Whole grapes are not a concern at normal amounts.
Adds up with others that may slow blood clotting: , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 40 more.
The honest take
Grapes and raisins are healthy whole foods with fiber, potassium and natural plant compounds. Heart and vein claims for grape skin extracts and resveratrol are mostly lab and animal work, and human trials have been small and mixed. Health claims about red wine do not justify drinking alcohol.