Muscadine Grape Seed Extract Supplement Benefits and Side Effects

Muscadine grape seed extract is a supplement touted for its antioxidant benefits and for providing a boost to the immune system.

The properties of this extract are said to improve cardiovascular health, slow down aging, and improve eye health.

There are only 3 varieties of grape used in making grape seed extract: Vitis vinifera, Vitis labrusca, and Vitis rotundifolia, also known as muscadine. These are all red wine grapes and a by-product of the wine making industry.

Red grapes have the highest levels of polyphenols which, in some measure, accounts for the color. This is also one of the compounds which gives grape seed extract its beneficial properties.

Muscadine grapes are rarer than the other 2 varieties, and are only found in the southeastern region of the US. There are over 300 muscadine cultivars (varieties) grown in the US. Well known in the US for their thick skins, unlike other grapes, most muscadines are peeled before eating.

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

Top Grape Seed Extract ?

View User Ratings* ❯

Muscadine Grape Seed Extract

The muscadine grape has a long history in America, of not only being used to prevent illness, but also in aiding recovery.

The variety of grape has an extra chromosome making it particularly resistant to extremes of climate and disease.

Some people believe that this mechanism is passed on to those eating the grape and subsequently increases the antioxidant properties.

Although many studies remain inconclusive regarding the effects of muscadine grape seed extract, others have proven significant. One study did find positive vascular effects at rest in the brachial diameter.

It did not however find any other significant benefits in respect to antioxidant effects, inflammation, or lipid peroxidation. It is possible though that the study could have been limited due to the fact that participants were only treated with grape seed extract for 4 weeks.

As a consumer, particularly in America, you may actually be consuming grape seed extract without knowing it. The supplement, being high in fiber, is an ingredient in some nutritional meal replacement bars.

What is Muscadine Grape Seed Extract Used For?

The benefits of the muscadine grape are similar to that of other grape seed extracts. However, due to the thickness of the skins the concentration of compounds are believed to be higher.

This is why some manufacturers of grape seed extract promote the fact that they use muscadine grapes as a sign of a high quality supplement.

In particular the flavonoids acting as antioxidants are thought to be significantly more potent in this extract than that of other varieties. Flavonoids are sometimes referred to as polyphenols and the skin of the muscadine is high in this particular substance.

As a result the antioxidant effects are said to be better than that of either vitamin C or Vitamin E. For that reason, muscadine extract is said to protect against oxidative and free radical damage.

Scientists currently believe that free radical damage underpins many common, yet serious, ailments. These include:

• Heart disease
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Macular degeneration
• Neurologically degenerative illnesses: ie Parkinson’s Disease
• Dementia
• Arthritis

The Muscadine Grape in Medicine

The muscadine grape is thought to contain many properties which may prove beneficial to modern medicine. It is necessary to distinguish between the effects of the whole grape, wine, juice, skin, and seeds/seed extract.

There have been comparative studies measuring the effectiveness in prostate cancer between resveratrol and muscadine. These indicate that the compounds may, in their own way, inhibit cancer cell growth. Yet the compounds contained within the skin of the muscadine and the ratios are different to that of the extract or seed.

Another study compared the effectiveness of both the seed and skin of the muscadine for inhibiting cancer cells. The findings were significant. However, a problem with this study is that currently there is no indication it has been peer-reviewed or published in a recognized scientific or medical journal.

The findings are both interesting and promising and it may well be the catalyst to initiating further funding and research. However, researchers believe there is need for further investigation with regard to muscadine grape benefits.

At this time, grape seed extracts, including muscadine seed extract, is available as a dietary supplement only, and the FDA has not approved grape seed extract as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions.

Should you Buy Muscadine Grape Seed Extract?

Products which contain antioxidants and limit the damage caused by free radicals, are becoming increasingly important as we understand more about how the aging process works and how we may slow it down. There is no wonder then that a supplement such as Muscadine Grape Seed Extract which is known to be high in antioxidants is attracting increasing attention.

Generally consumers take this supplement as a preventative measure. They are trying to limit the damage caused by the environmental factors and improve overall health for longer periods. In some cases, the nutrient is also taken for cosmetic reasons to limit free radical damage to skin and reduce the signs of aging.

This product is not as widely available as other grape seed extracts. However it is not more expensive. Expect to pay around $0.20 per dose for Muscadine Grape Seed Extract. Nature’s Pearl specialize in muscadine products, but the cost is higher and can be up to $1 per day.

Be sure to look at the label for any supplement you buy to determine the quantity of grape seed extract provided per serving. High quality products should provide at least 80% procyandin content with approximately 200 mg of grape seed extract per capsule.

Rate This Article

(5 votes, average: 4.80 out of 5, rated)