WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF GRAPE SEED EXTRACT?

Although you probably buy seedless grapes to eat, the seeds are actually extremely sought after in the beauty and health world. Why? Grape seed extract, commonly referred to as GSE, contains powerful health benefits. This is why it’s been showing up in nutritional supplements, skincare and beauty products.

What’s so great about those tiny seeds? One word: proanthocyanidins—a type of polyphenol with amazing antioxidant properties.¹ Grape seed extract happens to be chock full of them.

Sure, you’ve probably had your share of the fruit, be it as juice, jam, jelly, wine, vinegar, or raisins. But, the seeds of a grape contain a powerfully healthy oil. Yes, there are more reasons to love grapes—because of the many beauty and health benefits.

What Are The Active Ingredients In Grape Seed Extract?

The predominant class of molecules found in grape seed extract is polyphenols. Polyphenols are a broad group of substances found in plants. They include tannins, lignins, flavonoids such as quercetin (a flavonol found in many fruits and vegetable) and EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate, a catechin found in green tea), cinnamic acids such as caffeic acid (found in coffee and other plants), coumarins, and stilbenoids such as resveratrol (present in grapes and also other berries). More specifically, in grape seed extract one type of polyphenol called oligomeric proanthocyanidin (OPC) is present at higher concentrations than all the others. OPC is a powerful antioxidant responsible for most of the beneficial therapeutic effects of grape seed extract. Proanthocyanidins are also found in other common foods and spices like fruits and especially berries, nuts, cinnamon, cocoa, and tea (EGCG is also a proanthocyanidin). Like these other foods, proanthocyanidins are found in grape skins and juice, but grape seed extract contains a much higher concentration. In fact, 70-90% of grape seed extract may be proanythocyanidins. The rest of grape seed extract contains procyanidin, different forms of catechins, and other bioactives in smaller amounts.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF GRAPE SEED EXTRACT?

OPCs (Oligomeric Procyanidins) are a class of polyphenols. They are commonly found in grape seeds, berries, and other plants. According to many doctors and nutritionists, include Dr. Steven Gundry, polyphenols are the most important nutrients your body needs. Why? Because researchers in the medicinal world keep proving how polyphenols are responsible for the antioxidant, free-radical scavenging properties of GSE.¹¹

Research has implicated that grape seed extract may help:

• Protect heart tissue and the cardiovascular system
• Defend against the damaging effects of diabetes
• Prevent bacterial and viral infections
• Decrease the incidence of various tumors
• Protect against the damaging effects of UV rays
• Mitigate aging effects in the skin by protecting collagen and elastin
• Reduce inflammation
• Improve cholesterol levels
• Increase fat metabolism
• Prevent dental cavities
• Protect neurons
• Treat hypertension (high blood pressure)

Safety and Dosing

Studies with grape seed extract have shown efficacy with a wide range of doses. GSE is commonly taken in capsules or tablets containing serving sizes of 50 to 100mg, and may be sold by itself or in combination with other ingredients, including in this anti-aging product. Grape seed extract is generally considered very safe to consume, even at higher doses. Grape seed extract and grape seed proanthocyanidins haven’t shown any short or long-term toxicity. People allergic to grapes should not take grape seed extract. Because proanthocyanidins can limit platelet adhesion, grape seed extract may act as a blood-thinner, increasing clotting time. While this has cardio-protective benefits, people taking blood thinners should ask their doctors about any potential effects. Interactions between grape seed extract and other supplements and medications have not been extensively studied.