A glass of grape juice is a refreshing and energizing way to start your day. The nutritional value of grapes is exceptionally high and this makes them an essential part of your diet. One way to reap the many benefits of grapes is by drinking grape juice. However, many of the brands of grape juices available in the market are not recommended as they contain a great deal of sugar and very often they are no more than unhealthy flavored drinks. If you are unable to find pure grape juice, you can always make your own by following the grape juice recipe given below.
You will need a colander for rinsing the grapes, a piece of cheesecloth, a large 12 quart pot, and one large 6 quart pot.
Wash and destem the grapes and discard the old, shriveled and unripe ones. Then mash the grapes using a potato masher. The juice will then begin to flow. After this, put the mashed grapes and extracted juice into a stockpot and cook it. Simmer on a medium heat for about 10 minutes. Keep stirring occasionally to prevent the grapes from sticking to the pan. Mash up the grapes some more when you are halfway through the cooking process. Then take the other large pot and place the cheesecloth over it. Secure it with a rubber band. Strain the grape mixture through the cheesecloth. It is should be left overnight in the refrigerator to strain completely. Grape juice concentrate can also be used for other recipes such as homemade grape jelly.
Grape Juice Health Benefits
Now that you know how to make homemade grape juice, let us take a look at some of the grape juice health benefits.
Studies have shown that grape juice cuts down the risk of any form of heart disease. This juice helps with the clotting mechanism and therefore reduces the free circulation of blood. This is due to the flavonoids which are found in grape juice.
Grape juice contains iron and is good for treating anemia. Dark grape juice should be avoided by anemic people as dark grapes contain a chemical which lowers the level of iron in the body.
Grape juice contains several antioxidants and thus it can boost the immune system as well.
Grape juice also improves various brain functions such as coordination, memory and strength.
It is also considered a natural remedy to treat ailments such as gout, Alzheimer’s, liver disorders, constipation, and so on.