Nutritional Facts About Concord Grapes

Concord grapes are purple or almost dark blue in color. According to the Concord Grape Association, they are grown primarily to be made into grape juice and jelly, though some concord grapes are sold as whole fruit. The dark color of the fruit's skin contains plant-based nutrients called phytonutrients that contain antioxidant properties. Concord grapes and juice are nutritionally rich. They are low in fat and high in vitamins and minerals.

Nutrition Basics


Concord grapes are packed with a variety of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, calcium and phosphorus. A 1-cup serving of the whole fruit contains 62 calories and a mere 0.3g of fat, according to the Concord Grape Association. The sodium content of concord grapes is 2mg per serving. The fruit is a good non-dairy source of calcium, with 13mg packed into each cup. Concord grapes contain 9mg phosphorus per serving and a small amount of protein, at approximately a half-gram per cup. The carbohydrate count for a cup of concord grapes is 15.8g.

Polyphenols

The distinctive purple or blue-black skin of the concord grape contains a phytonutrient, or plant-based nutritional component, called polyphenol. Polyphenols are a type of compound naturally found in foods that are purple or red in color, including red and purple grapes, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries and red wine. Apples and onions also contain polyphenols. This nutrient acts as an antioxidant and protects your body from cell damage caused by toxins in the body. According to the USDA Agricultural Research Service, polyphenols found in concord grapes and other foods can strengthen your immune response, heal damage that you may have sustained at the cellular level if you smoke, and could even protect you from developing some forms of cancer.

Oxalates

Concord grapes are a natural source of oxalates, a substance that everyone has in their body. Your body makes oxalates, but you can also consume foods that contain the substance as well. People who have a risk for developing kidney stones may need to limit the amount of oxalates that they consume, as the substance can solidify inside the body and become a main component of kidney stones. If you have a history of kidney problems, check with your doctor before you eat large quantities of concord grapes or related products.


Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/113196-nutritional-concord-grapes/#ixzz2Sa8GuVrz