Grape seed extract is used to help treat heart disease, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cancer, and other diseases.
Grape seed extract is derivatives from grape seeds which are generally obtained from winery and juice manufacturers. Grape seeds are waste products of the winery and grape juice industry.
Studies about Grape Seed
Studies have found that grape seed is a rich source of flavonoids, linoleic acid, and OPCs. Animal and human studies have shown preliminary evidence that the chemicals in grape seed extract may help treat heart diseases, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Some people believe that the compounds, especially oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs), are antioxidants, which could help treat a number of disorders, from heart disease to cancer to aging problems.
Some studies suggested that the compounds named phenolics in grape seeds have effects to inhibit lipid oxidation, therefor may reduce risk of heart disease by limiting platelet aggregation and reducing inflammation. According to an analysis of randomized controlled trials in 2011, grape seed extract appears to significantly lower systolic blood pressure and heart rate, with no effect on lipid or C-reactive protein levels.
In laboratory studies, researchers have found that the chemicals called polyphenols in grape seed are antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that fight against free radicals which are harmful compounds in the body that damage DNA (genetic material), contribute to aging and cause many diseases, including heart disease and cancer. Polyphenols in grape seed extract might help prevent cell damage caused by free radicals, which are highly reactive molecules that can damage cell function. Polyphenols are resveratrols, which may have many potential chemopreventive effects, such as interfere with cancer cell growth and proliferation, and induce apoptosis. According to a laboratory study conducted in 2012, grape seed extract killed head and neck cancer cells without damaging healthy cells. In another study, the healthy volunteers who took grape seed extract showed substantially increase levels of antioxidants in their blood.
Although, the initial findings are promising, but so far, scientists still do not know much about how grape seed might exactly affect human health, and more studies are needed to confirm the real effects of grape seed extract. Because there are some studies did not support these findings. In a recent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, 50 adults with coronary disease and cardiac risk factors were treated with grape seed supplementation for 4 weeks. The trial did not show a statistically significant result. And in another clinical trial, grape seed extract did not alleviate the hardening of breast tissue in women with breast cancer.
How to Use Grape Seed Extract
Recent years, grape seed extract is used as a popular dietary supplement for its health effects to help treat many diseases, including improving blood and fluid circulation, treating heart disease, cancer, swelling, and aging skin. Grape seed extract is sold in forms of capsules, tablets or liquids in supplement market. You can find a grape seed extract product in a health supplement store. The capsules or tablets usually containing 50 mg or 100 mg. Read the instructions on the product labels about the dosage and warnings.
Please note, grape seed extract might have side effects, such as headache, dry skin, itchy scalp, dizziness, or nausea. It might also act as a blood-thinner, increasing clotting time and the risk of bleeding. You should not take grape seed extract without first talking to your doctor.
Read more information about natural remedies for heart disease.
