When you think of a fruit, what comes to mind? Maybe apples, bananas, or pears.
Maybe not. With over 6,000 varieties of grapes and over 2,000 varieties of olives, fruits can be quite different from each other. Even so, they both fall into the botanical family Vitaceae.
In this article, you will learn what distinguishes grapes from olives and which one is healthier. Read on to know more about their similarities, differences, and health benefits.
Viticulture is the science of grapes. Viticulture practices and grape varieties differ significantly throughout the world. Some grapes are used in wine making and others are used for food. Some grapes are eaten fresh, others pickled, and others are dried for making raisins and other forms of candied fruit.
Grapes vs Olives: Similarities
Both grapes and olives are fruits. They are classified as drupes due to having a hard seed inside a protective outer covering. They also both belong to the botanical family Vitaceae.
Both olives and grapes are also highly nutritious. In fact, a cup of red grape juice provides more potassium than a banana. A cup of red grape juice also provides more Vitamin C than an orange, more Vitamin B6 than a potato, and more calcium than a glass of milk.
In addition, both olives and grapes are good for you internally and externally. They can protect your cells and DNA from damage caused by free radicals and can treat various fungal and bacterial infections.
Grapes vs Olives: Differences
The main difference between grapes and olives is that grapes are cultivated while olives are wild. Cultivated grapes are cultivated and harvested for their grape juice, which is then turned into grape syrup, wine, or grape seed.
However, olives are still grown and harvested for their oil, which is then processed into olive oil. In fact, grapes and olives come from different species of plants.
Grapes are members of the species Vitis vinifera while olives are members of the species Olea europaea.
Grapes vs Olives: Health Benefits
Here are the health benefits of grapes and olives:
Grapes and olives are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. They are also good for your heart and immune system.
Thanks to their high levels of vitamin C and B, olives and grapes protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage your cells.
Grapes and olives are also rich in flavonols, which are antioxidants that have been shown to reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, some cancers, and diabetes.
Grapes vs Olives: Conclusion
The main difference between grapes and olives is that grapes are cultivated while olives are wild. Cultivated grapes are cultivated and harvested for their grape juice, which is then turned into grape syrup, wine, or grape seed.
However, olives are still grown and harvested for their oil, which is then processed into olive oil. In fact, grapes and olives come from different species of plants.
Grapes are members of the species Vitis vinifera while olives are members of the species Olea europaea.
Grapes are grown all over the world while olives are grown in only a few countries. Although olives and grapes come from different plant species, they have many common nutritional components.