Grapes aren't just great sources of vitamins C and K; they also contain very powerful antioxidants which lower the risk of stroke and partially reverses kidney damage caused by high-fat diets, MedicalNewsToday.com reports.
Grape seed and skin extract (GSSE) were used in a laboratory test involving rats with low-grade reno-lipotoxicity, or kidney damage caused by high levels of triglycerides (TG) and saturated fat. The condition caused imbalance in reactive oxygen production which resulted in oxidative stress, or the failure of the subjects to properly detoxify. Researchers then found that GSSE lowered the levels of TG and saturated fat, not to mention prevented oxidative stress.
GSSE is rich in antioxidants such as resveratrol, which doesn't only maintain healthy kidney function, but also helps lower blood sugar. So the next time you eat grapes, try eating everything--skin and seeds and all. Or if you'd like, have yourself a glass of red wine, which includes resveratrol in its ingredients. When taken in moderation, your kidneys will thank you for it.
(Photo by ANDRE NUHRICH via Flickr Creative Commons)
