Live longer: Fruit packed with phytochemicals to reduce cancer risk and boost longevity

Loose Women: Dr Hilary discusses how to live longer

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Numerous studies have demonstrated that various dietary agents can help tremendously when it comes to a number of diseases and serious health conditions. Fruits and vegetables represent an untapped reservoir of various nutritive phytochemicals with potential cancer-reducing and cholesterol-lowering abilities. 

Grapes are a rich source of the antioxidant resveratrol.

A number of studies show that resveratrol has the potential to possibly stop cancer from starting in the breast, liver, stomach and lymphatic system.

“The grape’s skin has the most resveratrol, so leave the skin intact,” said Lindsay Wohlford, dietician.

Polyphenols and other phytochemicals can also reduce and help control blood sugar levels and blood pressure levels, and reduce chronic inflammation – another risk factor for heart disease.

In a study published in the Journal of Nutrition, the anticancer potential of grape seed extract and other grape-based products was analysed.

“Grapes and grape-based products are one such class of dietary products that have shown cancer chemopreventive potential and are also known to improve overall human health,” noted the study.

It added: “The anticancer effects of whole black grape (seeds included) extract are reported in the cancerous colon tissues of humans via inhibition in DNA turnover enzymes.

“The anticancer effects from grape seeds against cancer cells have also been demonstrated through inhibition of the survival pathway and induction of apoptosis.

“Almost similar anticancer effects of GSE or red wine polyphenolic extract were also observed.”

The study concluded that consumption of grapes and/or grape-related products in diets along with maintaining an active healthy lifestyle has both practical and translational potential in the fight against cancer and is thus beneficial to the general population.

Grapes are high in fibre making them a good option to help lower high cholesterol.

In a study of people with high cholesterol, those who ate three cups of red grapes a day for eight weeks had lower total cholesterol and LDL “bad” cholesterol.

Grapes were also shown to increase the diversity of bacteria in the gut which is considered essential for a strong immunity.

Professor Zhaoping Li said: “We found that grapes have a beneficial effect on gut bacteria, which is great news, since a healthy gut is critical to good health.

He added: “Various studies involving grapes deepens our knowledge and expands the range of health benefits, further reinforcing the heart health benefits of grapes with lowered cholesterol.”

Grapes are also known to help keep blood vessels healthy and flexible for good circulation and healthier blood pressure.

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