Grapes can "nourish the blood, strengthen the intellect, benefit the bones and muscles, strengthen the stomach, promote body fluids, relieve thirst and vexation, replenish qi, promote urination, nourish the kidneys, benefit the liver, and improve complexion". Here, the editor will take you to understand the efficacy and effects of grapes.
From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, grapes are neutral in nature, sweet and sour in taste, and non-toxic. TCM believes that grapes can "nourish the blood, strengthen the intellect, benefit the bones and muscles, strengthen the stomach, promote body fluids, relieve thirst and vexation, replenish qi, promote urination, nourish the kidneys, benefit the liver, and improve complexion". Here, Gu Fang TCM will take you to understand the efficacy and effects of grapes:
1. Relieve fatigue. The large amount of glucose and fructose in grapes is converted into energy in the body, which can quickly enhance physical strength and effectively eliminate physical fatigue. Therefore, eating some grapes when tired can quickly improve the condition.
2. Anti-viral and bactericidal. Grapes contain natural polyphenols, which can combine with proteins in viruses or bacteria, rendering them unable to cause infectious diseases. Regular consumption of grapes has a good effect on killing poliomyelitis virus and other viruses, and enables the human body to produce antibodies.
3. Improve allergic symptoms and prevent cancer. Resveratrol in grape skins can not only inhibit the action of inflammatory substances, effectively alleviating allergic symptoms, but also prevent normal cells from becoming cancerous and inhibit the spread of already cancerous cells, having a strong anti-cancer effect.
4. Anti-anemia. Grapes also contain vitamin B12, which has an anti-pernicious anemia effect. Regular consumption of red wine is beneficial for treating pernicious anemia.
5. Regulate the stomach and benefit the gallbladder. The abundant fruit acids in grapes help digestion, clean up intestinal waste, and have antibacterial effects on *Escherichia coli*, *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*, and *Bacillus subtilis*. Grapes also contain vitamin P, which can reduce the toxicity of gastric acid and treat gastritis, enteritis, and vomiting.
6. Promote urination, reduce edema, and prevent miscarriage. According to Li Shizhen's records, the roots, vines, and leaves of grapes have excellent diuretic, de-swelling, and miscarriage-preventing effects, and can treat conditions such as morning sickness during pregnancy, vomiting, and edema.
7. Nourish and stimulate brain nerves. The flesh of grapes is rich in glucose, organic acids, amino acids, and vitamins, which can nourish and stimulate brain nerves and has a certain effect on treating neurasthenia.
8. Beautify and nourish the skin. Grape seeds contain unique proanthocyanidins, which have super antioxidant and anti-oxidation functions. They can remove free radicals before they damage cells, thereby tightening the skin and delaying aging. Regular consumption of grapes can make the complexion ruddy and the hair black, shiny, and beautiful.
Grapes are of very high value, whether for food or medicine. Summer is the peak season for grapes, and it is recommended to eat them frequently. This is especially true for patients with nephritis, hypertension, and edema; children, pregnant women, and anemia patients; those with neurasthenia, fatigue, premature aging; those with lung deficiency, cough, and night sweats; and those with rheumatoid arthritis and pain in the limbs and bones. However, patients with diabetes, constipation, and a weak spleen and stomach should not eat too many, as it may cause diarrhea. When taking spironolactone, triamterene, or potassium supplements, it is not advisable to eat raisins and other foods high in potassium at the same time, as it can easily lead to hyperkalemia, causing gastrointestinal cramps, abdominal distension, diarrhea, and arrhythmia.