Humankind has long valued grapes and grape leaves for their healing abilities, but modern research has revealed properties in grapeseeds that allow for even more ways to benefit from grapes. Among the health-supportive compounds in grapeseed are powerful antioxidants known as oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes, or OPCs. OPCs may help with a variety of health concerns.
Easing Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Chronic venous insufficiency, or CVI, occurs when valves in the leg veins become weak or damaged and are unable to sustain normal blood flow. Blood pools in the legs, causing swelling, aching and varicose veins. Study participants with CVI who took 100mg of grapeseed extract had fewer symptoms within four weeks, reported a study published in the "Gazette Medicale de France" in 1985. A number of other studies also support the use of grapeseed for CVI, according to experts from the University of Maryland.
Relieving Edema
Grapeseed may help with the swelling that can occur after an injury, known as edema. Those who took 600mg grapeseed a day for 6 months after breast cancer surgery experienced less pain and swelling than those taking a placebo. Grapeseed may also help with sports injuries. To reduce injury- or surgery-related edema faster, take 200 to 400mg grapeseed extract daily for up to 30 days, recommend University of Maryland experts.
Managing High Cholesterol
High cholesterol can interfere with normal blood flow, putting you at risk for cardiovascular problems like coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Some research results suggest grapeseed may help control cholesterol levels. A combination of grapeseed extract and chromium lowered cholesterol levels better than either treatment alone, found a study published in the "Journal of Medicine" in 2000.
Treating Vision Problems
Preliminary research suggests grapeseed extract may help treat or control vision problems, including macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, write experts from the National Institutes of Health. Significantly more study participants taking grapeseed showed no progression in diabetic retinopathy compared to those not taking a placebo, discovered a small study published in the "Gazette Medical de France" in 1982. Grapeseed may also improve night vision.
References
- New York University: Chronic Venous Insufficiency
- PeaceHealth.org: Chronic Venous Insufficiency
- University of Maryland: Grape Seed
- "Journal of Medicine;" Effects of Niacin-bound Chromium and Grape Seed Proanthocyanidin Extract...; Preuss HG, et al.; 2000
- National Institutes of Health: Grape Seed Extract
