Varieties ~
Grapes have been eaten since prehistoric times and cultivated as far back as 5000 B.C.  The grape is the leading fruit crop in the world.  There are three basic types:  Old World, North American, and hybrids.  The versatile Old World variety accounts for over 95% of the grapes grown in the world and is used for table grapes, raisins, and wine.  North American grapes, including the Concord and Niagara, are available in seedless varieties and are well suited for juice and as table grapes, but not for raisins.  The hybrid, a cross between Old World and North American grapes, is used primarily in the production of wine.

(Grapes contain on an average about 80% water.  Their sugar carbohydrate is high but they do not come under the carbohydrate fruit classification.  They are very rich in potassium and iron and have a predominance of alkaline elements.)

Key Benefits~
Grapes provide nutritional benefits similar to those of other berries.  The nutritional quality can be enhanced by juicing grapes containing seeds.  In Europe, a grape seed extract rich in flavonoids known as procyanolic oligomers or leukocyanidins is widely used in treating varicose veins and other venous disorders.  These flavonoids are extremely powerful antioxidants and have also been shown to reverse atherosclerosis.*

(Fresh ripe grapes in season are among our most wholesome fruits, being one of the greatest aids in the elimination of uric acid from the system.  They are also valuable because they stimulate the secretion of digestive juices.  The extensive use of grapes as an eliminative diet has become a popular and successful method towards re-establishing the alkaline-acid chemical balance of the body.  Grapes of every variety have proved valuable for this purpose)

Selection~
Grapes do not ripen after harvesting, so look for grapes that are well colored, firmly attached to the stem, firm, and wrinkle-free.  Green grapes are usually the sweetest.  After purchase, the grapes should be stored in the refrigerator, where they will maintain their freshness for several days.

References~
* Masquelier J, Pycnogenols:  Recent advances in the therapeutic activity of
  procyanidins, in Natural products as medicinal agents, vol. 1 (Stuttgart: Hippokrates-
  Verlag, 1981) pp. 243-56.

Thanks to~
(The Vegetarian Guide to Diet & Salad)
by Dr. N.W. Walker, D.Sc., pg. 106.

The Complete Book of Juicing: Your Delicious Guide to Youthful Vitality
by Michael T. Murray, N.D., Jay Kordich, pp. 90-92.