Concord grapes are large dark blue or purple grapes native to North America, named after the Massachusetts village of Concord, where they were first grown commercially, according to the Concord Grape Association. Concord grapes are not popular as table grapes because of their seeds. They are grown commercially for products such as juice, jelly, jam and wine. The many health benefits of Concord grapes and their products are attributed to flavonoids or antioxidant phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals they contain.
Reduce Blood Pressure
By supplementing your diet with Concord grape juice for 6 to 8 weeks, you will see measurable reductions in blood pressure, according to the University of Cincinnati. According to the Concord Grape Association, Concord grape juice helps lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressures in people with elevated blood pressure. Concord grape juice may improve arterial wall flexibility, which is a factor in lowering blood pressure.
Memory Function
According to the University of Cincinnati, a pilot study concluded that Concord grapes may help older adults with early memory decline improve their overall memory function. Study participants showed improvements in verbal and spatial memory function. Concord grapes have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may affect signaling in the memory portions of the brain, showing promise in helping pre-dementia or people at risk memory issues.
Prevents UTIs
According to the Concord Grape Association, Concord grape juice may be just as effective as cranberry juice in blocking bacterial adhesion in the urinary tract, preventing urinary tract infections, or UTIs. The bacteria, E. coli, is a common cause of UTIs, and the flavonoids found in Concord grape juice may help prevent E. coli from adhering to the bladder and urinary tract walls. 100 percent grape juice without any added sugar is a good alternative to cranberry juice in the prevention of UTIs.
Healthy Heart
Concord grape juice and wine made from Concord grapes may help improve cardiovascular function, according to the Concord Grape Association. Flavonoids in Concord grapes protect other antioxidants and vitamin E, helping them to remain active in the body longer. This helps reduce clotting of blood, lowers total cholesterol, lowers low-density lipoprotein or the bad cholesterol, and reduces atherosclerosis or narrowing of the arteries.
According to the American Heart Association, the link between flavonoids and atherosclerosis is based on the antioxidant properties of some flavonoids such as those found in Concord grape juice and wine. These flavonoids inhibit adhesion of platelets in the blood, lowering the risk of heart disease. The Concord Grape Association reports that Concord grapes help with atherosclerosis by making blood platelets less sticky and improves the ability of blood vessels to expand in response to increased blood flow, delivering more oxygen to the body.
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