Right now is the peak season for grapes. As one of the world's top four fruits (apples, grapes, citrus, and bananas), grapes are not only nutritious and sweet-and-sour, but also help the body detoxify and clear internal heat when eaten more in early autumn.
Professor Yang Li, a wellness expert from the Xiyuan Hospital of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, says that according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), grapes can replenish qi and blood, promote the production of body fluids to quench thirst, and strengthen the spleen to promote urination. After a hot and humid summer, the body accumulates a large amount of toxins, has a strong internal heat, and feels lethargic. Grapes have a great effect on promoting urination. Eating more appropriately in early autumn can help the body expel toxins and eliminate internal heat.
Red, white, green, purple, and black—grapes on the market come in various colors. Professor Yang Li says that in addition to the common nutritional value of grapes, different colored grapes have their own nutritional focuses.
Red grapes contain reverse osmosis enzyme, which can soften blood vessels, invigorate blood, and resolve stasis, preventing thrombosis. People with cardiovascular issues may want to eat more. The reverse osmosis enzyme is most abundant in the skin of red grapes, so it's best to eat them with the skin on. White grapes have the effect of toning lung qi and moistening the lungs, making them suitable for people with coughs or respiratory diseases. Green grapes focus more on clearing heat and detoxifying. Purple grapes are rich in anthocyanins, which can beautify and fight aging. Black grapes are more prominent in nourishing yin, nourishing the kidneys, and darkening hair.
"Eat grapes, don't spit out the grape skins." From a nutritional perspective, this rhyme should be changed to "Eat grapes, don't spit out the skins and seeds." The grape skins and seeds contain most of the nutrients in grapes, so it's best to eat them whole. If the texture isn't pleasant, you can press the grapes with skins and seeds into grape juice. However, it should be reminded that grapes are relatively cool-natured, so people with a cold stomach should not eat too much at once.