Grape seed extract is very high in antioxidants, which may have benefits for heart, skin and brain health. These potent antioxidants can help to prevent heart disease, UV skin damage, cancers, as well as Alzheimer's disease. Grape seed extract has also been shown to neutralize free radicals and protect skin from wrinkles and other signs of aging.
Antioxidants
The health benefits of antioxidants are well-established. As we age, we build up more free radicals in our system. Free radicals are oxygen ions that steal electrons from our cells, which can create DNA damage, leading to cancer and side effects of aging. Antioxidants neutralize these free radicals by donating an electron to stabilize their harmful effects. Grape seed extract is very high in antioxidants. Specifically, grape seeds contain oligomeric proanthocyanidins, or OPCs. Resveratrol, from wine grapes, is one of many polyphenols that provide antioxidant support. Grape seed extract is 50 times more potent than vitamin E and 20 times more potent than vitamin C, in antioxidant terms.
Heart Health
Grape seed extract may be effective in fighting heart disease. Antioxidants have been shown to lower blood pressure and decrease cholesterol. While improving overall circulation, grape seed extract may also help with atherosclerosis, which is the hardening of arteries due to damaging plaque buildup. Grape seed extract research began in order to explain the "French Paradox." Despite a traditional diet that should increase heart disease, the French people experience very low incidence of heart problems. Many came to attribute this fact to their moderate consumption of wine, which contains the same polyphenol antioxidants as grape seed extract. Research from the University of Maryland shows that grape seed extract, when combined with chromium, lowers bad cholesterol levels more effectively than placebo.
Skin Health
Grape seed extract may help reduce UV damage from exposure to the sun. The bioflavonoid proanthocyanidins in grape seed extract are said to decrease fatty acid oxidation and inflammation that lead to skin damage and signs of aging. Those with acne, wrinkles, and other skin conditions can benefit from the antioxidants in grape seeds. They may also act to protect and preserve the collagen and elastin that give our skin a youthful, tight appearance. In addition, grape seed extract has been shown to decrease the harmful effects of DHT on hair loss. Research from Ohio State University shows grape seed extract can increase wound healing, especially in delicate skin tissues.
Other Benefits
Polyphenols from grape seed extract have been shown to increase apoptosis in cancer cells. Apoptosis is a natural function of healthy cells. Cells are programmed to commit suicide when they become cancerous. However, once proliferated, tumors show a decrease in cell communication and apoptosis, which can accelerate cancer growth. It is theorized that grape seed extract slows the growth of breast, colon, prostate and lung cancers. The University of Kentucky used grape seed extract on leukemia cells, finding that 76 percent of the cells committed suicide through apoptosis within 24 hours. While an impressive result, the experiment was peformed in a lab and not in human trials. However, it shows great promise for future use of grape seed extract for supplemental cancer treatment. Other studies show that grape seed extract can promote healthy blood sugar levels, as well as improve brain, skin and eye health. Grape seed extract can cross the blood/brain barrier, and is being researched as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The poyphenols in grape seeds may also increase bone density in seniors and post-menopausal women. Research is still being conducted to confirm the health benefits of grape seed extract.
Side Effects and Use
As a natural supplement, grape seed extract shows very low incidence of negative side effects. It is generally well-tolerated in high dosages. A few anecdotal reports of headache, dizziness, nausea, and dry, itchy scalp have been recorded. However, these side effects were mild and temporary. Use 50 to 100 mg of grape seed extract a day for antioxidant and anti-aging purposes. Those over 50 years old may want to use 200 mg a day. Grape seed extract and resveratrol are widely available at health retailers.
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