The extent of the small fruit's benefits do not end there, however, with new research discovering a link between grape consumption and healthier dietary patterns.
In a study presented at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Food and Nutrition Conference and Exposition in Philadelphia, researchers demonstrated their findings from more than 21,800 children and adults.
US scientists examined data from the 2003 to 2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys to determine the role of fresh grapes, raisins and 100 per cent grape juice in the participants' diets.
It was revealed that those who consumed these grape products had increased intakes of whole fruit, dietary fibre, calcium, magnesium, potassium and vitamins A, C and B6, compared to their non grape-eating counterparts.
Not only that, but the grape eaters also displayed higher levels of vegetable consumption, whole grains, nuts and seeds, as well as lower consumption rates of total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol, compared to non-consumers.
"It reinforces the association between grapes and a healthier diet, which is good news for consumers," said Jean-Marie Peltier, executive director of the US National Grape and Wine Initiative.
"Grapes, raisins and 100 per cent grape juice are all foods that people enjoy eating, and this information adds another dimension to the grape and health story."
It is worth noting that alcoholic forms of grape consumption were not included in the study.
While grapes are widely harvested around the globe, the small berries are in fact indigenous to Europe and the Mediterranean regions.
Although small, they have many antioxidant agents including resveratrol, which has been found to help protect the body against cancers of the colon and prostate, as well as staving off the risk of coronary heart disease.
