Are Red Seedless Grapes Healthy?

Any type of fruit can offer a bevy of health benefits, and red grapes are no exception. They're a tasty choice, delicious fresh out of the fridge or even as a frozen treat, and they also happen to be full of antioxidants --- compounds that boast significant disease-fighting properties.

Nutrition Facts

One cup of red seedless grapes, about 30 grapes, has approximately 100 calories, 27 g carbohydrates, 1.5 g fiber, 23 g natural sugar and no fat, sodium or cholesterol. Red grapes also contain a high percentage of water, which makes them a food with naturally low energy density. MayoClinic.com notes that low energy-dense foods have few calories in large quantities and are consequently well suited for weight loss and weight maintenance.

Benefits

Red grapes also contain some serious immune-boosting and health-enhancing properties. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, fresh fruits such as grapes can cut risks of cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol, bone loss, kidney stones, stroke and heart disease. The relatively high fiber content of the grapes can also promote smooth operation in the digestive system.

Juice and Wine

Red wine, made from seedless red grapes, is a special standout for heart health. According to MayoClinic.com, the alcohol and antioxidants in red wine can help prevent clots in your blood vessels and may contribute to increasing levels of healthy cholesterol. Mayo Clinic cardiologist Martha Grogan notes that red grape juice may have the same healthful properties, particularly juice made from dark red or purple grapes and Concord grapes.

Uses

There are plenty of healthy ways to add more red grapes to your diet. In addition to eating them plain, you can mix them into savory salads or use them as primary ingredients in fruit salads. They also work well as an accompaniment to yogurt in a breakfast parfait or to frozen yogurt for dessert. Use grape juice for smoothies or to form the base of a sweet salad dressing or braising sauce.

Considerations

Before you throw back a few glasses of wine or feast upon a grape salad in the name of health, take into account that red grapes are just one component of a healthy diet that must be varied to offer the most benefits. Form the foundation of your diet from all main food groups, including lean proteins, nonfat dairy, whole grains, vegetables and fruits --- grapes alone can't take the place of any of those groups. Before you make any big changes to your diet, speak with your doctor.