“Health Benefits of Grapes”

 

WHAT’S SO GREAT ABOUT GRAPES: Grapes are a go-to snack for picnics and lunchboxes, but don't take them for granted. For thousands of years, they've been used in some cultures as medicine. Each of these small fruits is loaded with over 1,600 compounds -- and many of them can help keep you healthy.

HEART HELP: Grapes are a good source of potassium, a mineral that helps balance fluids in your body. Potassium can help bring down high blood pressure and lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. Most people don't get enough of this nutrient, so eating grapes can help fill the gap.

HEALTHY SKIN AND HAIR: Grape seeds are rich in vitamin E, which helps your skin stay smooth and hydrated. Other compounds in grapes may help prevent acne and increase blood flow to your scalp for healthier hair.

WEIGHT LOSS: You wouldn't think a fruit this sweet could help you drop some unwanted pounds, but grapes may do just that. A natural compound they contain appears to make it harder for your cells to store fat. It may also help fat cells in your body break up at a faster rate. Just be careful not to eat too many. One serving is 1/2 cup, or about 16 grapes.

EYE PROTECTION: Natural chemicals in grapes ease inflammation in your body and help protect your cells from damage. That's good news for your eyes. Studies show that a diet that includes grapes can prevent or delay common eye diseases like cataracts and glaucoma.

IMMUNE SYSTEM BOOST: A compound in grapes called resveratrol can help shore up the immune system -- your body's defense against germs. More research needs to be done to find out exactly how it may help, but one day, you might see resveratrol in products to help heal wounds or prevent bacterial infections.

GOOD FOR YOUR BRAIN: Resveratrol in grapes slows the breakdown of cells that naturally happens as you age. This may prevent harmful plaques from forming in your brain and slowing down how well it works.

CONSTIPATION RELIEF: The high-water content in grapes can help your digestive system run more smoothly. Grapes are also full of insoluble fiber, which can lead to softer stools.

BETTER SLEEP: Grape skins are high in melatonin, a chemical that may improve your sleep. Studies show melatonin eases jet lag and insomnia and may help steady your mood.

KEEP BLOOD SUGAR LOW: Grapes have a "low glycemic index," which means they don't raise your blood sugar too quickly. Because of that, they're a good fruit choice if you have diabetes. The polyphenols in purple grapes -- the compounds that give them their color -- may also help prevent type 2 diabetes.

CANCER DEFENSE: Research shows antioxidants in grapes may prevent or delay the growth of cancer cells. Some cancers that they may protect you from include mouth, lung, throat, pancreas, prostate, and colon.

FRESH FRUIT VS. JUICE: Some supplements have the same nutrients as grapes, but eating fresh fruit seems to give you the most health benefits. And while grape juice is good for you as well, try not to drink it too often. Juice is high in sugar, and you'll miss out on the dietary fiber that whole grapes have.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT COLOR: The amount of antioxidants in grapes depends on the variety, where they're grown, and how they're picked and processed. It's clear, though, that dark red and purple grapes contain more antioxidants than white or green types.

WHAT ABOUT WINE? Red wine can have health benefits, too. But don't overdo it. Men shouldn't drink more than 2 servings of alcohol each day. Women should stick to one. And if you don't drink alcohol, don't start now. You can easily enjoy fresh grapes and get health benefits from them, instead.

REVIEWED BY: Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD, WebMD, on July 16, 2020

The Journal of Nutrition: "Grapes and Cardiovascular Disease."

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences: "Resveratrol, in its natural combination in whole grape, for health promotion and disease management."

Mayo Clinic: "Does grape juice offer the same health benefits as red wine?"

Keck Medicine of USC: "5 Things Grapes Can Do for Your Overall Health."

Cleveland Clinic: "Improving Your Health with Fiber."

CDC: "The Role of Potassium and Sodium in Your Diet," "Alcohol and Public Health: Frequently Asked Questions."

Produce for Better Health Foundation: "How Many Grapes Are You Allowed to Eat Every Day?"

Pezzuto, J. Ed, Grapes and Health, Springer, 2016.

News release, Oregon State University: "Red grapes, blueberries may enhance immune function."

Cleveland Clinic/Healthy Brains: "Food & Nutrition: The Mediterranean Way."

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: "Table and Dried Grapes: FAO-OIV Focus 2016."

Nutrients: "Dietary Sources and Bioactivities of Melatonin."

News release, The Endocrine Society: "Resveratrol Boosts Spinal Bone Density in Men With Metabolic Syndrome."

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine, #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell #FeelFree2SignUpAndFollow

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.
 
"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.  

“Petroleum Jelly: Health Benefits and Uses”

Helps Wounds Heal: Petroleum jelly hit the market almost 150 years ago. It’s still a favorite of dermatologists. That’s because it seals water into your skin. That’s good for your wounds because they need a moist place to heal. It may take up to twice as long for dry injured skin to get better. This oily moisturizer may also ease the redness of a new scar and lower your chances of infection. It also won’t burn when you put it on. 

Relief for Eczema and Psoriasis: With some conditions, your skin may have a hard time keeping water in and bad stuff out. If it’s really dry, it could crack and let in bacteria. Petroleum jelly may help your skin and the medicines you take work better. It can ease inflammation and keep your skin moist. This can help you itch and scratch less. To get the most out of your petroleum jelly, use it on your skin when it’s damp.

Help for Atopic Dermatitis in Babies: Petroleum jelly can relieve itchy skin in newborns and infants. If atopic dermatitis (eczema) runs in your family, petroleum jelly may be a low-cost way to help your child avoid it. You can start to use it on your baby’s skin about 3 weeks after they’re born.

It Can Kill Mature Lice, but Not the Eggs: Like mayonnaise, petroleum jelly is a home remedy for lice. Research shows it may kill adult lice. But it doesn’t keep the eggs, known as nits, from hatching. That means it’s not a good way to control lice. Instead, you should use a medicine that’s made to kill lice, called a pediculicide.

Blister Prevention: Before you head out for a run, rub some petroleum jelly between your legs or on your heels. It may keep you from chafing in areas that rub together. If you do get a blister, petroleum jelly on your sore can help it heal.

Diaper Rash Relief: Petroleum jelly protects the skin from outside stuff. That includes your baby's poop and pee. You can use it between diaper changes if your baby gets a rash.  Dermatologists like it because there are no fragrances or preservatives. That’s good for babies' butts and parents' hands.  And there’s no evidence that costly diaper rash creams work better than petroleum jelly. But that doesn’t mean you have to toss them. If you like the way a cream smells or feels, keep using it.

Hemorrhoid Help: Petroleum jelly may help you feel better if you have a flare. You can add a layer inside your anal area to protect your sensitive skin. This may make it more comfortable to poop. You may itch and hurt less, too.

Windburn Prevention: Petroleum jelly can protect your skin against wind and cold. Just rub a thin layer on any area that might get exposed to the air. You can also dab a little under your runny nose if it gets dry. But you may want to avoid areas that are acne-prone. Petroleum jelly can trap bacteria and oil in your skin. That can make your breakouts worse.

Eye Moisturizer: The skin around your eyes is really thin. This means it can get bothered easily. A layer of petroleum jelly can give your eyelids some added moisture. It’s also a safe way to remove eye makeup. But try not to get any inside your eye. It’s not likely to cause an allergic reaction, but it could add bacteria.   

Protection for Your Pet’s Paws: Rub a little petroleum jelly on your dog’s paw pads before you take them out for a winter walk. It can protect their feet from the cold and from salt on the sidewalks. This oily layer can also moisturize your pet’s skin if they have atopic dermatitis.

Nail Moisturizer: You don’t need costly creams to keep your nails in good shape. Petroleum jelly can hydrate all parts of your hands. If your nails are brittle, it can help fill in and smooth out some of the ridges and rough spots. If you get manicures a lot, you may want to dab some on after your next session. But make sure your nails are still a little damp first to seal in the water.

How to Avoid Greasiness: A little petroleum jelly goes a long way. But if you don’t want it on your fingers at all, use a small spatula to put on a thin layer wherever you want to use it. If you moisturize your hands or feet, just put on gloves or socks after. But keep in mind that oil-based products may stain fabric or carpet.

Can You Use It With Oxygen Therapy? Some experts think you shouldn't use petroleum jelly while you’re on oxygen therapy because there’s a small chance the combo could start a fire if there's a spark. But there’s no evidence that this happens a lot. There’s another reason you may want to avoid using an oil-based moisturizer in your nose. It’s rare, but petroleum jelly could hurt your lungs. To be safe, try a water-based option instead.

Don’t Put It on Your New Sunburn: Oil-based products can keep heat inside your skin. If your skin is burned, it’s better to use aloe vera or soy-based products on it. And you’ll probably peel after a sunburn no matter what moisturizer you use. That’s because ultraviolet rays from the sun hurt the cells in your skin. A moisturizer can’t undo the damage. But it may help you heal faster and make your peeling less visible. 

Don’t Eat It: In large doses, petroleum jelly can give you diarrhea or stomach cramps. It may make you throw up. Keep it away from kids and pets. You don’t need to worry if they get a little in their mouth. But if they can’t swallow or they cough a lot, call the poison control center at 800-222-1222.

Don’t Use It for Sex: It’s a bad idea to use petroleum jelly when you have sex. It could cause latex condoms to break. If you’re female, it might raise your chances of getting bacterial vaginosis. Try a water-based option instead.

There Are Natural Oil-Based Options: Petroleum jelly comes from a fossil fuel. If you’d like a natural choice, try pure shea butter, cocoa butter, or cold-pressed coconut oil. They may not stay on as well, but they’ll keep your skin moist.

Reviewed by: Stephanie S. Gardner, MD on October 19, 2019

Sources:

Steve Xu, MD, dermatologist; instructor, Northwestern Medicine Feinberg School of Medicine.
Google Patents: “Improvement in products from petroleum.”
The Journal of Clinical Investigation: “Skin care in the aging female: myths and truths.”
Indian Journal of Dermatology: "Moisturizers: The Slippery Road."
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: “Petrolatum: Barrier repair and antimicrobial responses underlying this 'inert' moisturizer.”
Indian Dermatology Online Journal: “Topical Therapies in Psoriasis.”
Seminars in Plastic Surgery: Update on Postsurgical Scar Management.”
JAMA Pediatrics: “Cost-effectiveness of Prophylactic Moisturization for Atopic Dermatitis.”
American Academy of Pediatrics: “Head Lice.”
The Journal of Pediatric Nurses: “Home remedies to control head lice: assessment of home remedies to control the human head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis (Anoplura: Pediculidawe).”
CDC: “Parasites: Treatment.”
American Academy of Dermatology: “How to prevent and treat blisters,” “5 ways to use petroleum jelly for skin care,” “Treating sunburn.” 
Harvard Health Publishing: “Hemorrhoids.”
Cleveland Clinic: “Top 6 Winter Health Hazards and How to Beat Them.”
American Academy of Ophthalmology: “How To Use Cosmetics Safely Around Your Eyes,” “Can petroleum jelly (Vaseline) be put into an eye that was scratched by being poked with paper?”
University of Illinois Extension: “Stain Solutions: Petroleum Jelly.” 
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center: “Oxygen Safety in the Hospital.”
American Lung Association: “Using Oxygen Safely.”
University of Chicago Medicine, Comer Children’s: “Caring for Your Child on Oxygen.”
Mayo Clinic: “Petroleum jelly: Safe for a dry nose?”
International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy: “Safety in the use of Vaseline during oxygen therapy: the pharmacist’s perspective.”
Northern New England Poison Center: “Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline, Aquaphor)."
Obstetrics and Gynecology: “Intravaginal practices and risk of bacterial vaginosis and candidiasis infection among a cohort of women in the United States.”
Journal of Applied Sciences: "A Review on Petroleum: Source, Uses, Processing, Products and the Environment." 

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine, #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.