Fitness Nutrition Forums

Red vs. Black Colored Grapes

grape_000003495719_Small.jpg

Red and black grapes are similar nutritionally, and are interchangeable in recipes. Which type of grape you choose is often simply a matter of taste preference, or which one is on sale at your local supermarket. Both red grapes and black grapes can benefit your health.

Nutrition Content

Red and black grapes contain about the same amount of calories, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Red and black grapes both provide about 90 calories, 23 grams of total carbs -- mainly from natural sugars -- 1 gram of fiber, and 240 milligrams of potassium in each 3/4-cup portion. Red and black grapes both lack protein and dietary fat.

Jams, Jellies, and Wines

Both red and black grapes can be used to make jams, jellies, and red wines. While you may notice a slight difference in taste when using red versus black grapes to make these food products, the main difference you'll see is in the colors the grapes provide.

Reduced Disease Risks

Both red and black grapes appear to help reduce your chronic disease risks. A review published in 2009 in the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology reports that grapes used in making red wine, such as red and black grapes, and the wine itself contain antioxidants like resveratrol that help reduce your risk of dying from heart-disease complications, protect you from developing heart disease and can even increase your life span. Another review published in 2009 in The Journal of Nutrition reports that polyphenols found in grapes and wine reduce heart disease risks. A third 2009 review in The Journal of Nutrition reports that grapes may even help protect against cancer, and that whole black grape extract appears to protect against colon cancer.

Bottom Line

Red and black grapes are very similar and one type of grape isn't really better for you than another. Both provide you with disease-fighting antioxidants and polyphenols and contain the same number of calories and nutrients per serving. Red grapes may taste slightly different than black grapes, so the better choice for you is really a matter of taste preference.

protein powder thumb.jpg

An experienced health, nutrition and fitness writer, Erin Coleman is a registered and licensed dietitian and holds a dietetics degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She also has worked as a clinical dietitian and health educator in outpatient settings. Erin's work is published on popular health websites, such as TheNest.com and JillianMichaels.com.

{{ oArticle.title }}

{{ oArticle.subtitle }}