[Creative Cultivation Program] Why don’t you spit out the grape skins when eating grapes?

Author: Lao Ke opens his mind

Audit: Superb

There is a tongue twister that goes like this: "Eat grapes without spitting out the skins; don't eat grapes but spit out the skins." Many readers think that this is just a tongue twister, but in fact, it is also a motto for scientific diet.

What are the specific ingredients in grapes?

Grapes are an indispensable fruit in summer and autumn, and they are loved by many people for their sweet and tender taste. Many readers usually peel or spit out the grape skin when eating grapes, thinking that the grape skin is a bit bitter and difficult to swallow; while some people are afraid that eating the skin is not clean. Little do they know that doing so will actually lose a large part of the nutrients from the grape skin.

As a fruit, grapes are not only delicious, but also contain many nutrients. According to the "Chinese Food Composition Table (202118)", every 100 grams of grapes contains 37 kcal of energy, 88.5 grams of water, 0.2 grams of fat, 0.4 grams of protein, and 8.5 grams of carbohydrates. In addition, there are a variety of minerals, such as 119 mg of potassium, 1.5 mg of sodium, 17 micrograms of calcium, 13 mg of phosphorus, etc., as well as a variety of amino acids required by the human body. Regular consumption of grapes is very beneficial for neurasthenia and excessive fatigue.

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that grapes are mild in nature, sweet and sour in taste, and enter the lung, spleen, and kidney meridians. They have the effects of replenishing qi and blood, benefiting the liver and kidneys, producing body fluids, strengthening muscles and bones, relieving cough and restlessness, replenishing qi and blood, and promoting urination.

The grape skins that we spit out also have considerable nutritional value. Scientific research has found that grape skins contain more resveratrol than grape flesh. This is a polyhydroxyphenol compound. Literature shows that polyphenols in grape skins account for about 25-50% of the total phenols in grapes. In addition to playing an antioxidant and cardiovascular protective role, this substance also has a strong anti-cancer ability.

At the same time, grape skins are also rich in cellulose. The fibers in grape skins are mainly polysaccharides, lignin and nitrogen-containing substances, of which the total dietary fiber content accounts for more than 75% of the dry matter, and the water-soluble dietary fiber content accounts for more than 15% of the total dietary fiber content, and pectin is the most abundant substance.

As we all know, proper intake of dietary fiber can help gastrointestinal motility and promote food digestion and absorption; dietary fiber also has strong water absorption. When the body consumes excess nutrition, it can take the excess nutrition out of the body, which is beneficial to the excretion of feces and prevents constipation. Regular supplementation of dietary fiber can not only maintain a healthy physique, but also effectively prevent coronary heart disease, diabetes and other diseases.

What is the "white frost" on grape skin ?

One reason why many people are afraid to eat grape skins is because they see a layer of white frost on the surface of the grapes, and many people don’t know what it is, and mistakenly think it is pesticide residue.

Generally speaking, as long as the white frost is evenly distributed and does not cover the color of the grape skin itself, it can be considered as the sugar alcohol substances secreted by the grapes themselves, also known as fruit powder, which is completely harmless to the human body and is the "guardian" of grapes. This layer of white frost can reduce the evaporation of grape water and prevent the grapes from losing water and shrinking quickly after picking. Secondly, this layer of white frost is insoluble in water, which can prevent the surface of the grapes from absorbing water to form a humid environment, thereby causing the growth and infection of pathogens. In addition, the wine yeast rich in white frost can also prevent microbial contamination during the wine making process.

Normal white frost should be evenly distributed on the surface of the grapes, and will not cover the color of the grape skin itself. If it is a medicine, then the distribution of this "white frost" will not be so even, and there will be traces of dark blue. This kind of grapes need to be carefully cleaned before eating.

Cleaning in this way is clean and safe

If you are really worried, you can add a spoonful of flour to the water when washing, stir it evenly, then put the grapes in the water and rub them back and forth for a while, and when the flour water becomes turbid, the dirt on the grapes will be taken away by the sticky flour water. Then take out the grapes, rinse them with clean water, and you can eat them with confidence.

Although grapes are both medicinal and health-promoting fruits, they are cold in nature and should not be eaten in excess, especially by diabetic patients. They should be eaten in moderation and should not be eaten when the spleen and stomach are in disharmony or when one suffers from cold and diarrhea.

This article is produced by the Science Popularization China-Creation Cultivation Program. Please indicate the source when reprinting