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Nutrition and daily life

Grapes — fruit card: the sweetness of Shamakhi vineyards

Shamakhi and Ganja grapes are the autumn jewels of the Azerbaijani table. Grapes are sweet and juicy, but their thin skin is not peeled. This card explains how to eat grapes safely during treatment.

Last updated: ~2 min read
Green and dark grape bunches on a dark board.
Figure 1.Shamakhi grapes — Grapes — fruit card: the sweetness of Shamakhi vineyards

01Short answer

Grapes provide water, natural sugar, potassium and polyphenols. Their thin skin is not peeled, so during neutropenia they need especially careful washing, and some teams limit them in severe neutropenia. Rinse the bunch under running water grape by grape and discard bruised or split ones. If swallowing is hard, cut them in half. Grape juice must be pasteurised. Resveratrol supplements are not a treatment.

02Simple explanation

Grapes have thin skin that stays on.

Wash them one by one.

If swallowing is hard, halve them.

Resveratrol: not a treatment.

03Scientific explanation

MSK: resveratrol is studied in the lab; an anti-cancer effect in people has not been shown, and it may interact with some medicines.

WHO: at least 400 g of fruit and vegetables a day is recommended; during treatment the amount may vary with appetite and your doctor’s advice.

FDA: wash produce under running water before cutting or peeling, because a knife can carry germs from the skin into the flesh.

04What happens in the body?

Washing

Rinse the bunch in a colander under running water for 30 seconds, rubbing the grapes.

Grapes in a colander under the tap.
Figure 2.Rinse under running water.

Swallowing

With dry mouth or swallowing difficulty, cut grapes in half.

Halved grapes on a white plate.
Figure 3.Halve them for swallowing.

Washing and peeling

Wash your hands, rub the fruit under running water, dry it with a clean towel, then peel or cut it. Soap or bleach solutions are not needed.

Cut fruit

Keep cut fruit in the fridge and eat it within 1 day; do not leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

05Fruit: four steps

Whole fruit, swap bruised, wash and peel, eat cut fruit soon.

Whole fruit — No spots.1Whole fruitNo spots.
Not bruised — Fresh and whole.2Not bruisedFresh and whole.
Wash and peel — Running water.3Wash and peelRunning water.
Eat soon — Fridge, 1 day.4Eat soonFridge, 1 day.
VitaminsA natural source.
FibreFor the gut.
SafetyWashing.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
WashingRinse the bunch in a colander under running water for 30 seconds, rubbing the grapes.
SwallowingWith dry mouth or swallowing difficulty, cut grapes in half.
Washing and peelingWash your hands, rub the fruit under running water, dry it with a clean towel, then peel or cut it. Soap or bleach solutions are not needed.
Cut fruitKeep cut fruit in the fridge and eat it within 1 day; do not leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

07Key terms

Resveratrol
A polyphenol in grape skins.
Dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing.
Neutropenia
Low neutrophils, raising infection risk.
Potassium
A mineral for the heart and muscles.
Fibre
The part of plants that helps the gut work.

08Key points

  • Wash grapes carefully.
  • Discard bruised grapes.
  • Juice: pasteurised.
  • Wash under running water.
  • Eat cut fruit soon.

09Frequently asked questions

Can I eat grapes during neutropenia?

Some teams allow well-washed grapes, others do not; ask yours.

Are dark grapes healthier?

They have more polyphenols, but they are not a treatment.

Does this fruit treat leukemia?

No. It is a pleasant part of eating, not a treatment.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Can I eat grapes during neutropenia?

  2. Are dark grapes healthier?

  3. Does this fruit treat leukemia?

My questions

12Sources

  1. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — About Herbs. Resveratrol
  2. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Diet Guidelines for Immunosuppressed Patients
  3. U.S. FDA. Selecting and Serving Produce Safely
  4. NHS. 5 A Day: what counts?
  5. National Cancer Institute. Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
  6. USDA. FoodData Central
  7. Cancer.Net (ASCO). Fatigue
  8. World Health Organization (WHO). Physical activity — fact sheet
  9. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Food Safety for Older Adults and People with Cancer, Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Organ Transplants, and Autoimmune Diseases
  10. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Antibacterial Soap? You Can Skip It
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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