Grape Seed Extract Benefits – Why Take this Supplement?

Grape seed extract benefits are considered to be many and varied. Grape seed extract is one of the best natural sources of anti-oxidants identified from dietary supplements.

As an antioxidant, it is considered to be 20 times stronger than Vitamin C, 50 times more potent than Vitamin E, and remains active in the body for up to 3 days whereas most other antioxidants are excreted more quickly.

These impressive grape seed extract benefits come from the fact that it is a source of oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs). These plant-based compounds are believed to possess significant health-boosting properties and are being studied for use in the treatment of heart disease, cancer, edema, chronic venous insufficiency, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease.

This article will discuss what some proven grape seed extract benefits are, how this supplement works in the body, uses for grape seed extract, as well as safety and side effects.

Grape Seed Extract

Anti-Oxidant Supplement

Heart Health

Brain Function

Anti- oxidant

How It Works:

• Supports brain health & alertness
• Improves heart health & cholesterol levels
• Potent anti-oxidant & procyanidins source

Dosage:

Between 150 - 300 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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What is Grape Seed Extract?

Grape seed is a source of vitamin E, linoleic acid, flavonoids, and oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs).

These compounds can be found in both the seed and skin of the grape, but are highest in concentration within the seeds.

Traces of these compounds can also be found in grape juice and wine, but not in amounts significant enough to provide health benefits.

Another compound found in grape seed extract is resveratrol, but unlike OPCs it is more prevalent in the skins of red grapes than in the seeds. Resveratrol is considered to be an effective antioxidant and is being studied for its anti-aging effects.

Grape Seed Extract as an Antioxidant

In studies on healthy adult volunteers, it has been found that oral consumption of grape seed extract increases antioxidant levels in the blood by a significant degree. Antioxidants are the body’s natural protection against free radicals and oxidative damage.

Free radicals are harmful molecules that are produced naturally as a result of energy metabolism in our cells. When these free radicals are created and then not removed from the body, they can damage cellular structures and cause changes in our DNA that can sometimes result in the development of cancer.

Oxidative damage may contribute to speeding up the aging process and the development of more serious health problems like heart disease. It can also result in visible signs of aging on our skin, including wrinkles and damage to the complexion.

In the brain, oxidative damage may increase the likelihood of developing dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other forms of cognitive impairment. Many of the purported mental grape seed extract benefits are believed to be caused by the antioxidant effects of this compound.

By scavenging free radicals, this natural supplement may be able to prevent oxidative damage and slow down this contributing factor to the aging process.

Grape Seed Extract Benefits

Studies have found that the B2G2 component found in grape seed extract has anti-cancer effects.

When administered to cancerous cells in laboratory experiments, this component of grape seeds triggered targeted apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells without harming healthy cells.

Other studies have found this supplement may prevent the development of tumors and cancer cells in breast, stomach, colon, lung and prostate tissues. Using grape seed extract may also prevent against damage to the liver caused by chemotherapy treatment.

Speak to your doctor or oncologist to learn more about using this supplement if you have received a cancer diagnosis.

Research suggests that grape seed extract benefits may also result in lower blood pressure and healthier cholesterol levels. The antioxidant properties of this natural product may help to protect against damage to blood vessels and improve circulation.

In studies, this extract was shown to reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure and alleviate hypertension which can be a risk factor in strokes and heart attacks. These results are still considered preliminary by the medical community.

In another study, administering grape seed extract with chromium was found to be effective in lowering both total cholesterol as well as bad LDL cholesterol levels after two months of use. The combination of chromium with grape seed extract was more effective than grape seed extract alone.

LDL cholesterol levels were also found to be lower in a study that looked at the effects of grape procyanidin extract on lipid peroxidation in 24 male smokers.

Medical Grape Seed Extract Benefits

There is significant evidence that the OPCs found in grape seed can reduce symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency. Symptoms of this condition involve pooling of blood in the legs that can cause swelling, pain, visible veins and fatigue.

The Natural Medicines database has rated Grape seed extract as Possibly Effective for improving chronic venous insufficiency. In studies, the proanthocyanidin components of Grape seed extract were seen to reduce subjective symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency and improve venous tone.

Grape seed extract benefits have also been observed in relation to reducing the duration of edema symptoms following breast cancer surgery. Patients that were given 600 mg of grape seed extract a day reported less swelling and pain after 6 months compared to a group given a placebo.

Another study showed that individuals given this extract following a sports injury experienced less swelling compared to those given a placebo.

The research on Grape seed extract benefits has been very promising so far, however more research is still needed. At this time, the FDA has not approved grape seed extract as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions, and grape seed extract is available as a dietary supplement only.

Buying Grape Seed Extract

There are several different forms of grape seed extract products available to buy in the marketplace today. Supplements can be taken in capsule, tablet or liquid extract form. Products will vary in terms of the potency of active compounds from brand to brand.

High quality formulations should provide between 80-95% proanthocyanidin content standardized per dosage. Capsules will typically contain between 50 mg to 250 mg of grape seed extract each with one to two capsules taken per serving.

There are few side effects associated with this natural supplement. However, mild adverse reactions have been reported including nausea, stomach upset, diarrhea, itching, sore throat, cough, dizziness, headache, and skin rashes. Individuals who are allergic to grapes should not use this supplement, nor should pregnant or breastfeeding women, due to a lack of safety use information in these groups.

Even though grape seed extract benefits may help those with high cholesterol or blood pressure, it is not recommended to combine this supplement with drugs used to treat these conditions.

Speak to your doctor about any other supplements or medications you may be taking before determining whether grape seed supplements are appropriate for you.

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