By removing the pulp and skin of the grape, manufacturers seize the fruit's seeds and use a heat expeller or cold press to extract the oil. The final product is grape seed extract, a widely used skin supplement and general health tonic. Some people use it to boost health, treat edema and reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Others enjoy its beauty benefits.
Skin-Health Components
Whether red, green or purple, grapes are an antioxidant-rich fruit containing numerous skin and health-enhancing components, such as vitamin E, flavonoids, linoleic acid and oligomeric proanthocyanidins, or OPCs. These compounds are highly concentrated in the grape's seeds, skin, stems and leaves as well as in grape juice and wine. Although the amount of antioxidants in grapes depends on several factors, such as the type of grape, its geographic origin and how it's processed, deep red and purple grapes tend to have greater antioxidant value than the white or green variety.
Anti-Aging
Antioxidants are beneficial not only for supporting the immune system; they also have positive cosmetic effects. The abundance of antioxidants in grape seed extract help improve skin from the inside out by counteracting the effects of cell-damaging free radicals. The most powerful antioxidants in grapeseed, procyanidins, bond with and strengthen collagen, the fibrous protein that works with elastin to keep skin firm. The result of consuming grape seed extract is greater skin elasticity and fewer wrinkles.
Sun Damage Protection
Excessive sun exposure, particularly to UV rays, has a host of adverse effects on skin and health in general. Overexposure to the sun is linked to skin cancer and premature wrinkling from loss of skin elasticity. The active compounds present in grape seeds, the proanthocyanidins, protect skin from damage and show some positive biological effects, including preventing some types of cancer. The Positive Molecular Nutrition and Food Research publication contains results of studies done on hairless mice, which show that grape seed inhibits oxidative stress and has a broad protective effect.
Dosage Information
Grape seed extract is an ingredient in cosmetic products and is available as a dietary supplement in capsule, tablet and liquid extract forms. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends products that are standardized to 40 to 80 percent proanthocyanidins, or have an OPC of not less than 95 percent. Common adult dosages for improving skin elasticity range from 25 to 150 mg daily.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Grape Juice: Same Heart Benefits as Wine?; Martha Grogan, MD; July 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Grape Seed; August 2010
- "Positive Molecular Nutrition and Food Research"; Grape Seed Proanthocyanidines and Skin Cancer Prevention: Inhibition of Oxidative Stress and Protection of Immune System; Santosh K. Katiyar; June 2008
Member Comments