Then they came to the valley of Eshcol, and from there cut down a branch with a single cluster of grapes. And they went carried on a pole between two men. Numbers 13:23
That must have been some gigantic cluster of grapes! But such abundance was not unusual in the vineyards that were so important to the people of the Bible.
In Bible times, grapes were eaten fresh or dried and eaten as raisins, just as they are today.
Most of the crop of the vineyards was made into juice, wine, and vinegar, although grapes were also pressed into
cakes.
Grapes are loaded with the
following nutrients:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B
- Vitamin C
- Boron
- Zinc
- Potassium
- Tannin
These
nutrients work to:
- Help protect against osteoporosis
- Fight tooth decay
- Stop viruses/Antiviral
- Antibacterial
- Anti-tumor agents
- Raise HDL (good cholesterol)
In years past, grapes were especially potent against viruses like polio and herpes simplex.
The reason, experts believe, is because grapes contain tannin, a virus fighter that is absorbed directly into the intestinal tract, where it does the most good.
Grapes also have extraordinarily high levels of caffeic acid, which has been shown to be a strong anti-cancer substance.
Resveratrol
Thus says the Lord: “As the new wine is found in the cluster and one says, ‘Do not destroy it, for a blessing is in it.’” Isaiah 65:8
Decades of studies show that antioxidants, called flavonoids, act as protective agents which help fight cardiovascular disease and many other
disease-related problems.
Where can you find these helpful
flavonoids? Purple grapes!
Muscadine
Grapes
Research has gone on to discover that resveratrol
is not the only ingredient for promoting health found in the grape. Recent research has discovered that the Georgia-grown muscadine grape produces a unique phytochemical: ellagic acid.
Dr. Joseph Maroon, in his book The Longevity Factor, explains that this unique ellagic acid found in muscadine grapes is virtually absent in other grapes and has powerful antioxidant and anti-cancer properties.
The polyphenols in muscadine grape skins have been shown to have positive effects in:
- Heart disease
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Metabolic syndrome
- Other inflammatory conditions.
- Repairing the aging of DNA in our cells
- Helping prevent certain
cancers, including:
- Breast
- Pancreas
- Esophagus
- Skin
- Colon
- Prostate