Grapes have a calorie content that fits into any diet. They are little balls of sweet, juicy fruit that make a tasty and healthy snack, and they are the perfect addition to a fruit salad. Grapes also taste good raw or stir-fried with vegetables. The calories in grapes are few, so count your way to a healthy diet.
Facts
One cup of Thompson seedless grapes and other European style grapes, contains 110 calories. Red and green grapes contain 120 calories per 1 cup serving. Concord grapes and Catawba grapes contain 60 calories per 1 cup serving. The percentage of water in grapes is approximately 80 percent. Raisins are grapes with 65 percent less water and 1 cup totals 464 calories. Almost all of the grapes in the United States are grown in California.
History
If you read the Bible, you will find that grapes were one of the fruits grown and consumed during that time. Grapes made their debut in America about 300 years ago when people from Spain brought grapes to this country. Haiti was introduced to grapes in 1494 when Christopher Columbus gave the people of Haiti grapes.
Types
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you can find more than 50 different types of grapes. American grapes and European grapes are the two chief types. Thompson grapes, Flame grapes, Ruby grapes, Perlette grapes and Tokay grapes are some familiar types of grapes. Other types of grapes include Summer Grapes, Frost Grapes, Sweet Winter Grapes, Northern Fox Grapes, Catbird Grapes and Riverbank Grapes.
Features
Grapes can be yellow/gold, green, purple, purplish/red, black, blue and white. Grape juice is made from Concord and muscadine grapes. Concord grapes are also used to make jelly. Muscadine grapes are used in the making of jam, muffins and cereal. Purple/red Catawba grapes are consumed as fresh fruit or as grape juice and wine.
Benefits
Grapes contain healthy fiber, and they have a low sodium content. They are low in calories, so they can be part of a weight loss diet. Grapes also contain beneficial vitamin A, vitamin C and iron. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, muscadine grapes contain resveratrol, a substance that may reduce cholesterol. Grapes also contain calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper and manganese.
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