Red or green? These grapes are healthier

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Grapes are back in season. In fact, red grapes are a tad healthier than their green relatives—especially those with seeds.

Grape season is here, and these sweet fruits are once again available from regional growers. Not only are they an ideal snack, but they are also packed with fiber and valuable minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron. “The fruits also score points with many vitamins, including B vitamins such as folate,” Antje Gahl from the German Nutrition Society (DGE) told “Die Zeit.”

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Have you ever wondered what the difference is between red and green grapes – also known as blue and white grapes?

On the one hand, there is the taste: red grapes are usually slightly sweeter and fruitier, while green grapes generally taste fresher and slightly more sour. But there is another, even more remarkable difference: “Red and blue grapes are healthier,” explains internist and nutritionist Prof. Johannes Georg Wechsler to Die Zeit.

They contain a higher proportion of secondary plant substances known as flavonoids. And these are good for us: they are known for their antioxidant properties. This means that they can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. A study published in the journal Neurology showed that eating foods high in flavonoids reduced the risk of dementia. They can also have anti-inflammatory effects, reduce the risk of certain diseases such as cardiovascular disease, and strengthen the immune system.

By the way, it is also worth choosing grapes with seeds. “I recommend that healthy people eat grapes with seeds,” says nutrition expert Antje Gahl, “because the tannins and fiber they contain have a digestive effect.” For your body to benefit from these substances, you need to chew a few seeds now and then; otherwise, they will pass through your body undigested.

Important: Grapes contain relatively high amounts of fructose and glucose and should therefore not be consumed in large quantities. Whether red or green grapes, always wash them thoroughly under running water before eating.