Does Grape Seed Extract Reduce High Blood Pressure?

Conventional medicine is beginning to embrace anecdotal evidence regarding the potential medicinal benefits of the grape.

Of particular interest are both the seeds and skins and their relative compounds and effects. One area proving to be of increasing interest is using Grape Seed Extract for blood pressure reduction.

Research shows that the polyphenols in grape seeds can improve cardiovascular health, keep cholesterol levels in check, and may even prevent high blood pressure.

In the past there were contradictions relating to the effectiveness of grape seed extract for lowering blood pressure.

A clinical review of numerous studies published in 2011 concluded that the findings were generally contradictory. They did establish though that there was some evidence that grape seed extract lowered systolic blood pressure, but not diastolic blood pressure.

However, in 2013 a new study found that there were positive results on both diastolic and systolic blood pressure. The study has initiated much resurgence of interest in grape seed extract possibly improving blood pressure without the intervention of prescription medication.

While the research presented below is very promising, more research is still needed to fully determine the effects grape seed extract has in the body. At this time in the USA, grape seed extract is available as a dietary supplement only. The FDA has not approved grape seed extract as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions.

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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Grape Seed Extract and Blood Pressure

The recent study on grape seed extract’s effects for blood pressure was conducted by researchers at the University of California.

Previous work had already been undertaken which established that in people with normal blood pressure, grape seed extract had no significant effects in lowering it further.

With this in mind ,they performed a double blind study with 3 groups of participants. Group 1 was given a placebo. Group 2 was given 150 mg grape seed extract per day. Group 3 was given 300 mg grape seed extract per day.

The study was monitored over a period of 4 weeks. In the placebo group no significant effects were noted, yet there were reductions in the blood pressure in both groups of patients receiving the grape seed extract. The results conflict with the study of clinical reviews in that both systolic and diastolic blood pressure was reduced.

More importantly, although there are average reductions, blood pressure was reduced among all the patients on grape seed extract. The reductions themselves were significant on averages. Systolic was reduced by 11-12 point and diastolic by 7-8 points.

Benefits for Metabolic Syndrome

The trial focused on measuring the effects of grape seed supplements on patients who had metabolic syndrome. This is the medical term for a combination of conditions which includes diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure.

The implications are that grape seed extract may have significant effects on other similar patients or those suffering prehypertension. It was suggested that grape seed extract may be able to replace prescription medications which while effective, can also cause more negative side effects.

The researchers at California also investigated the reasons grape seed extract proved to have significant effects. It was discovered that it acts as a catalyst (trigger) to the enzyme nitrous oxide synthase.

This in turn helps produce eNOS, the ‘friendly’ nitrous oxide. The result of this enzyme relaxes arteries and so helps blood flow thus reducing the blood pressure.

The results of this study support, in part, one published a year earlier. This trial measured the possible effects specifically of the muscadine grape seed extract.

Although most areas failed to reveal significant results, it was shown to positively affect the brachial diameter at rest. Again this would suggest that grape seed extract can relax arteries enough to improve blood flow and reduce blood pressure.

Diabetes, Obesity, and Grape Seed Extract

The findings of the first study have earned interest from both the medical and scientific communities. It has been suggested that grape seed extract could be used to help patients with type 2 diabetes. The side effects of grape seed extract are both rare and insignificant and would be a preferable option for many patients.

Additionally if the effects are shown to be consistently positive in patients with high blood pressure the product could be incorporated into mainstream medicine.

In conjunction with the symptoms of metabolic disorder, other research has indicated there might be a dual effect with regard to indirectly improving the health of patients.

Obesity is considered to be a risk factor for developing diabetes. Grape seed extract has been indicated in not only limiting appetite but also reducing absorption and accumulation of fat. Excess fat is stored in adipose tissue and the phytochemicals found in grapes are believed to inhibit this accumulation to some degree.

It may result that grape seed extract not only reduces blood pressure but also affects some of the issues which cause it.

Using Grape Seed Extract for Blood Pressure

Most pharmacies and health stores carry a broad range of grape seed extract products. Online it can be purchased in liquid, capsules, and tablet forms, as well as in bulk quantities in powder or crushed form.

Bulk powder is often preferable to those looking to save money. Because of the bitter taste of the powder, it is most often mixed with water or juice, or taken with/on food. Users with sensitive stomachs or taste buds sometimes will make their own gel caps filled with powder to avoid the bitter, astringent taste.

If using grape seed extract to control blood pressure, a daily dosage of between 150 mg to 300 mg has been recommended. This is a general guideline only, and your personal dosage may be different. It is always recommended that you speak to a doctor before beginning any new supplements, especially if you are already taking any medications or have an existing condition like high blood pressure.

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