Grapes - The Fruit Of The Gods

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

The earliest people to appreciate the qualities of grapes were hunters and fruit pickers from the pre-civilization era.

Scientists believe that the origin of the grapes originated in the Black Sea region in Eastern Europe and then spread south to the Middle East. The earliest evidence of grape cultivation is from about 8,000 years ago, in 600 BC. in Mesopotamia. 4,000 years later, the grapes were distributed in Phenicia and Egypt, and then around the world by seafarers.

The beginning of winemaking was laid by the ancient Greeks. They even have a God named after the grapes and grape juice - Dionysus (who later evolved into Bacchus, God of Wine).

The making of wine by the Greeks was largely accidental, as grape juice fermented very quickly. What they produced was a thick, sweet syrup that they diluted with water, and in some cases they seasoned with herbs, honey, and sometimes even cheese. And this drink was considered good enough to drink.

After 400 years, with the fall of Roman civilization, the art of growing grapes and making wine from them became a tradition and was performed only by monks in some monasteries in France and Germany. Winemaking is becoming an art in their hands.

By the 19th century, however, pasteurization was possible. In 1869, unfermented grape juice was established as a separate drink.

Today, there are almost 40-50 varieties of grapes that are grown in the world, and with hybridization develop new varieties.

As a naturally rich source of antioxidants, grapes are invaluable for their nutrient value. In fact, many nutritionists claim that grapes help reduce the risk of two of the world's deadliest diseases, namely coronary heart disease and cancer.

In the form of grape juice, grapes are known for their ability to purify the liver and lead to the release of more uric acid from the body. However, grape juice is not an easy-to-digest liquid and needs more saliva and digestive juices so that it can be easily absorbed by the body and does not cause spasms.

In addition to the obvious benefits, grapes are also extremely rich in potassium, which helps the alkaline balance of the blood and stimulates the heart and kidney processes. It also contains chemicals that help detoxify and cleanse the body.

An interesting but little known fact is that grape seeds are healthier than the fruit itself. They contain powerful antioxidants that serve to prevent premature aging by controlling free radicals. This helps prevent the development of degenerative diseases and strokes.

According to some studies, the extracts in grape seeds contain up to 50 times more powerful antioxidants than vitamin E and vitamin C. In addition, they have antiviral and anti-cancer properties, and also provide optimal blood circulation. The skin of grapes also has some nutrients that the body can turn into anti-cancer agents.