Grape Seed Extract
Botanical name(s):
Vitis vinifera
Other name(s):
oligomeric proanthocyanidins, OPC, pycnogenol
General description
The grape has a long history of medicinal uses. Since ancient Greece, people have
used grapes for medicinal purposes. More recently, sap from grape branches has been
used to treat skin issues and scrapes.
Modern medicine has found benefits in grape seeds and red wines. Research suggests
that wine has protective ingredients. These include resveratrol and certain tannins.
Proanthocyanidin, a compound found in the seed of grapes, may also be protective like
red wine.
Grape seed extract is made from the crushed seeds of grape plants. It contains proanthocyanidin.
This is a phenolic chemical belonging in the larger group of plant phytochemicals
called flavonoids. It belongs to a subgroup of tannins.
Proanthocyanidin may protect the blood vessels and cardiovascular system. It does
this by stopping the breakdown of collagen. This reduces the risk of a heart attack
and stroke. It may also have an antioxidant effect. This may lower the risk of certain
cancers.
Grape seed extract is used to treat heart issues. These include atherosclerosis.
Medically valid uses
Grape seed has been purported to lower cholesterol and to treat atherosclerosis, but
there is insufficient evidence to support these claims. Further research is needed
to determine the appropriate use of grape seed extract. At this time, there aren’t
any proven uses for grape seed extract.
Unsubstantiated claims
There may be benefits that have not yet been proven through research.
The tannins in grape seed extract are active antioxidants and antimutagenics. Because
of this, grape seed extract may protect the lining of blood vessels and other tissues
from damage. Grape seed extract may protect against damage from free radicals, oxidized
LDLs, and other harmful parts of metabolism.
Grape seed extract is said to reduce the production of histamine. This may reduce
the severity of nasal allergies. It may also reduce the premature destruction of vitamin
C. Grape seed extract may also act as a smooth muscle relaxant in blood vessels.
Studies have found that grape seed extract may help symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency.
This is when veins have problems sending blood from the legs back to the heart. Grape
seed extract may also reduce leg swelling (edema).
Dosing format
Grape seed extract comes in oral capsule form. Follow the instructions on the package
for the right dose.
Grape seed oil is also an aromatic oil. It’s used for salad dressings. It contains
little proanthocyanidin.
Side effects, toxicity, and interactions
Grape seed extract doesn’t cause any side effects.
Grape seed extract can interact with blood thinners, warfarin, cytochrome P450 3A4
substrate medicines, and UGT substrate medicines.
Children and women who are pregnant or are breastfeeding shouldn’t use grape seed
extract. This is due to the lack of safety data on it.