The muscadine grape is native to the southeastern United States and was the first native grape species to be cultivated in North America (Figure 1). The natural range of muscadine grapes extends from Delaware to central Florida and occurs in all states along the Gulf Coast to east Texas.
Native to the Southeastern United States, muscadine produces wines all over the color and flavor-profile spectrum. Known for its thick skins, high levels of antioxidants, and small quantities of distinctive wines, this incomparable grape is absolutely worth a try.
Raw fruits and vegetables contain similar proteins to plant pollens, and your immune system can confuse them, resulting in an allergic reaction — typically itching or swelling of the mouth, lips, tongue, or throat.
Since Muscadines tend to have thicker skins, this a benefit when eating them out of hand—although the skin is edible, some people prefer to squeeze each grape so the pulp goes in their mouth and they can discard the skin (and spit out the seeds). They can be challenging to harvest.
You can swallow the pulp and seeds together OR you can work the seeds out of the pulp with your tongue, and spit them out before you swallow the pulp. For the greatest nutritional benefit, eat the skins and seeds as well as the pulp and juice.
Pharmacological Actions. The insoluble dietary fiber in muscadine grapes helps to improve bowel movement. It is responsible for its anti-constipation action. Ellagic acid is a potent antioxidant found in these grapes.
Muscadine grapes contain more of this compound than other types of grapes, and some of the highest antioxidant levels among all fruits, which means that muscadine wine is likely richer in this antioxidant than other types.
Muscadine grapes contain significant amounts of polyphenols which are known to reduce inflammation [7], inhibit prostate tumor growth [8] and improve metabolic responses of diabetics [9] .
The texture of muscadines is softer and the taste sweeter than conventional supermarket grapes, with a melt-in-your-mouth feel and seeds you can simply just spit out. Muscadines possess the intense sweetness of a Concord grape, whereas scuppernongs are slightly less sweet.
That bane of the fruit-loving, Oral Allergy Syndrome, has kicked in. OAS (also known as pollen-food syndrome) is an allergic reaction to certain proteins in a variety of fruits, vegetables and nuts. The symptoms include itching and burning of the lips, mouth and throat.
Latex food syndrome
This type of oral allergy syndrome occurs in people who are allergic to natural rubber latex. In this case, bananas contain certain proteins that are also found in latex. With both of these conditions, the symptoms are confined to the lips, mouth, tongue, throat, or gullet.
Muscadine grapes are fat free, high in fiber and they are high in antioxidants, especially ellagic acid and resveratrol. Ellagic acid has demonstrated anticarcinogenic properties in the colon, lungs and liver of mice. Resveratrol is reported to lower cholesterol levels and the risk of coronary heart disease.
Muscadine Nutritional Facts
One serving of grapes is about 1/2 cup, or 16 grapes. That amount of muscadines has: 55 calories.
Muscadine Harvest Season
The grapes mature from early August to September. Fruit is ready for harvest when it falls easily from the vine. Shaking the vines firmly will dislodge the mature fruits. Remove mature fruits every two to five days during the harvest season.
Aside from the fact that it’s challenging to peel cherries and grapes and not really possible to peel most berries, the peels offer lots of antioxidants and nutrients. Grape skin is particularly beneficial since this part of the grape has the highest amount of antioxidants in the whole fruit.
Muscadine grapes are very sweet with a musky scent and flavor, and the skin is tart or slightly bitter in flavor.
Muscadines are generally cooked, then the juice, hulls and pulp are frozen. When properly packaged, they will maintain flavor and quality for two or three years. If you’re in a hurry, you can freeze the grapes whole. Wash, drain and package in airtight freezer bags or containers.
Does The Sugar In Grapes Cause Weight Gain? Grapes are a high-glycemic fruit. What this means is that grapes are easily broken down into simple sugars by your body. Sugar can cause insulin levels to rise which in turn causes fat storage, weight gain, and obesity (18).
All types of grapes are rich in nutrients, especially minerals and vitamins. In fact, in terms of the health aspects, the black grape is considered to be the most nutritional. Most health experts and nutritionists recommend black grapes compared to red grapes.
Grapes are a good source of potassium, a mineral that helps balance fluids in your body. Potassium can help bring down high blood pressure and lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. Most people don’t get enough of this nutrient, so eating grapes can help fill the gap.
Although best started by layering, you can also start growing muscadine grapes in your backyard from fresh seeds if they are scarified and chilled for several months.
Muscadine grapes contained phenolic acids, flavonols, anthocyanins, ellagic acid, and numerous ellagic acid derivatives.
The list of wild animals that seek out muscadines is as varied as it is long. White-tailed deer will actually browse the vines themselves. Likewise, they will also eat the grapes. Whitetails have been known to gorge themselves on the bronze orbs to the point where they suffer from indigestion.
Bananas are a safe and nutritious fruit for people with diabetes to eat in moderation as part of a balanced, individualized diet plan. A person with diabetes should include fresh, plant food options in the diet, such as fruits and vegetables. Bananas provide plenty of nutrition without adding many calories.