Grapes are berries rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It contains Vitamin, E, and Vitamin K, variants of Vitamin B, minerals like copper and manganese, and obviously, carbohydrates. They are spherical in shape, have thin layered skin, and are fleshy on the inside. Grapes come in different colors including purple, red, green, amber, and pink. As a nutrient-packed fruit, grapes benefit us in many different ways.
Grapes, in moderate quantities, aid weight loss, treat certain side effects including nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, and tone down hay fever. Grapes aren’t just consumed as fruits but in different forms such as wine, jam, jelly, raisins and so many more. You can also eat grapes as ice creams, pastries, and other grape-flavored desserts if you are not that concerned about your health, or want to let go of yourselves every once in a while.
Just as they come in different colors, they slightly vary in size and shape too. Similarly, another aspect you can identify different grapes with is their seeds. Although most of the varieties have seeds, some are seedless and they differ in nutrient composition as well as the range of benefits offered, from the seeded ones.
What Are Seeded Grapes?
Contrary to popular belief, not all seedless grape varieties are naturally grown. While the natural ones are a result of a genetic mutation that prevents the formation of the hard seed exterior, the ones that are not, are produced through a type of asexual reproduction similar to cloning, known as cutting. Although the naturally-occurring seedless grapes do need seeds to grow, the artificially grown ones don’t.
Grape seeds, in their raw form, almost taste bland. If they are not fully matured, it might even be a little bitter. However, if you don’t chew the seeds and swallow them wholly as most people do, you don’t have to worry about their taste. Consuming grape seeds hasn’t been noticed to have any repercussions in general but rather, it has been found harmless. It’s not just that; grape seeds are rich in an antioxidant called oligomeric proanthocyanin and can have beneficial effects if chewed and digested.
Seeded grapes vs. seedless grapes
The basic difference between a seeded grape and a seedless grape is that one of them has seeds and the other doesn’t. Is that the only difference, though?
- Seeded grapes are naturally grown, without human intervention in their growth process. However, seedless grapes are either the result of a genetic mutation or asexual reproduction carried out through a method called cutting.
- Seeded grapes are more nutritious in comparison to seedless ones. Seeded grapes have a higher concentration of antioxidants like flavonoids, most of which are present in their seeds.
- Seedless grapes lack genetic diversity and anything that affects one of them can affect the rest in a similar way since they are all practically clones.
- Seedless grapes have thinner skin compared to the seeded ones and are often larger in size.
Since one of the mentioned benefits already states the difference in their nutritional value, it’s obvious that the seeded ones are more beneficial when it comes to our health. It doesn’t mean that the seedless ones do not have any nutritional value, they sure do, but not as much as the seeded ones.
Benefits of eating seeded grapes
Seeds grapes, as stated already, contain antioxidant compounds including oligomeric proanthocyanin and flavonoids. But is reducing antioxidant stress the only thing they are good for? What else can they do? Let’s find out.
- Reduces cholesterol and blood pressure: Since lack of Potassium is one of the reasons for hypertension, eating seeded grapes can solve this issue to a good extent. 1kg of grape seed contains 5g of potassium which could restore the blood pressure levels to normal. Grape seeds have also been found to reduce blood cholesterol levels, especially in combination with Chromium.
- Improves eye health: The flavonoids grape seeds contain prevent or reduce oxidative damage to the retinal cells, thus improving eye health. The antioxidant function also contributes to maintaining the brain cells young, slowing down the aging process.
- Support circulation and cardiovascular health: By regulating systolic blood pressure and heart rate, grape seeds support improved blood flow. Improved circulation, reduced hypertension, and optimized cholesterol levels along with flavonoids restore and maintain cardiovascular health.
- Supports collagen synthesis: Grape seed, although not widely known, is a great ingredient to boost collagen production. This will also reflect in the speed at which wounds heal and improved bone density, both require a good amount of collagen.
- Reduces the risk of cancer: Grape seeds possess the potential to reduce the risk of cancer in the lungs, liver, intestine, mouth, and pancreas. The seeds also work to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy in cancer patients, including the damage caused to liver cells.
Side effects associated with eating seeded grapes
So, is eating grape seeds entirely harmless? There is nothing to worry about? Well, almost nothing. Consumption of grape seeds does have certain mild side effects like the ones listed below.
- Hypotension
- Potential interactions with medications (blood thinners)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache and sore throat
- Flare-ups (if you are allergic)
- Indigestion
Although none of the side effects except for allergies and interactions with medications are not that serious and definitely not fatal, grape seeds are not recommended for everyone. Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers are one such category who shouldn’t consume the seeds not because they have any side effects but because it lacks proper research.
People who are taking blood pressure medications and blood thinners should definitely stay away from grape seeds since there might be serious consequences like dangerously low blood pressure levels and blood thinning.
How do you eat seeded grapes?
You can either eat them with seeds or without seeds. You can also consume them with or without the skin. Since both the skin and seeds have nutritional value, it is recommended that you eat the grapes wholly, without removing any parts.
However, if you only want the sweet, juicy flesh, you can remove the skin with your hands or teeth and eat only the interior. You can also remove the seeds with your tongue by pushing them aside and spitting them out later. Seeded grapes can also be blended into juice and drink if you prefer to avoid the extra work of peeling and removing seeds.
Conclusion
Besides their diversity in color, grapes also differ in whether or not they contain seeds. Seeded grapes and seedless grapes vary in their nutritional value besides their size and thickness of skin. While seedless grapes are either a genetic mutation or artificially grown, seeded grapes are natural and have different varieties depending on their shape, size of seeds, and color, among other things.
Seeded grapes have antioxidant, vitamin, and mineral content that, if consumed in moderate quantities, could improve your health greatly. Grape seeds have been discovered to have cardiovascular protective and anticancer properties besides their role in improving vision, health markers, blood circulation, collagen synthesis, and reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Eating grape seeds can have certain side effects including nausea, vomiting, headache, sore throat, upset stomach, and allergic reactions depending on whether or not you are allergic to it. Grape seeds are not recommended for individuals taking blood pressure and blood thinning medications since the potential interactions could be serious. Those who can, and want to consume seeded grapes, have the option to either eat them alone with or without seeds or drink them as grape juice, whichever they prefer.
FAQs
Yes, they are. Grape seeds contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that will benefit your overall health in different ways.
Based on their nutritional value, seeded grapes are the best. However, considering the ease of consumption, seedless grapes are a better choice.
Compared to green color ones, purple and dark red grapes contain higher amounts of antioxidants and iron. Although light-colored grapes do have nutritional benefits, the health benefits of dark-colored ones surpass them.
Grapes with seeds are called seeded grapes. Cardinal grapes and concord grapes are two different varieties of seeded grapes where the former has larger seeds.
Yes, they are. However, if genetically muted, they might turn seedless or contain seeds that are not fully formed.
You can either swallow them whole, chew with the seeds inside, or chew them after removing the seeds. You can also put in a blender and make grape juice to drink.
