The red grape contains a number of highly useful compounds, especially for preventive medicine.

Its skin contains compounds called resveratrol or pterostilbenes, and the rest of the grape contains catechins, epicatechins, proanthocyanadins, and anthocyanins.

Because of those compounds and others, whole grapes and grape juice have been shown to offer many medicinal benefits, including:

• Correcting insulin resistance

• Protecting the brain from neurodegenerative diseases

• Calming activated immune cells called microglia

• Reducing inflammation

• Acting as a powerful antioxidant

• Combating a number of cancers

• Reducing excitotoxicity

• Acting as an antiviral and antibacterial compound

• Promoting wound healing

• Reducing pain

• Preventing atherosclerosis

In fact, grapes have been suggested as an explanation for what is called the “French paradox,” the observation that despite a high-fat diet, French people have an extremely low incidence of cardiovascular disease compared to Americans.

It was finally concluded that the high consumption of red wine among the French was protecting their cardiovascular systems.

This finding has been disputed, and other factors — including specialized fats — have been suggested for the low incidence of heart disease. But many scientists still credit red grapes as one of the (if not the single) keys to French heart health.

But there is no question that grape products are powerful and versatile antioxidants. And some of the most powerful protectants are found in the seeds.

As you will see, combining compounds from the skin of grapes with the seeds dramatically enhances the beneficial effects.