Grape Seed

Grape Seed

Grape seeds contain compounds called oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs), which are used in the treatment of a number of diseases and in reversing the signs of aging. Moreover, they contain high concentrations of flavonoids, vitamin E, and linoleic acid. Because of its high nutritional value, most people take grape seed extracts in order to boost their mental and physical health.

Benefits of Grape Seed

There is strong scientific evidence that taking grape seed supplements can positively impact your health. Among its many proven health benefits are the following:

Fights Various Types of Cancer

Numerous high quality studies have shown that the polyphenols, flavonoids, and OPCs in grape seeds can help fight various types of cancers such as skin cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and other malignancies.^[1-3] According to these studies, grape seed inhibits the growth of cancer cells and induces programmed cell death in order to kill malignant cells. Moreover, these studies found that the anti-cancer properties of grape seed work just like how chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells.

Helps Normalize Blood Pressure Levels

In a meta-analysis of 9 clinical trials, researchers found that grape seed extract supplementation appears to lower systolic blood pressure levels significantly in hypertensive patients, indicating that continuous treatment may help normalize high blood pressure levels.^[4]

Improves Women’s Fertility

Results from three high quality studies show that grape seed supplementation can help increase the chance of pregnancy.^[5-7] According to these studies, grape seed can help maintain the vitality of eggs, reduce the aging process in the development of fertilized eggs, and facilitate the implantation of embryos.

Maintains Stronger Skeletal Structure

Chronic autoimmune inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis disrupts the delicate balance between bone resorption (tissue breakdown in bones resulting in calcium transfer) and bone formation, resulting in bone destruction and damage to the joints. Interestingly, one study revealed that grape seed extract supplementation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis appears to suppress bone destruction and improve symptoms.^[8]  

Improves Blood Circulation

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is caused by dysfunction of valves of the veins, resulting to impaired blood circulation in the lower limbs. Interestingly, an analysis of 66 randomized controlled trials assessing the effects of grape seed extract supplementation in patients with CVI found that the treatment was able to reduce leg swelling, cramping and numbness, indicating a significant improvement in blood circulation.^[9]    

Prevents Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)

The brains of people with AD contain abnormal proteins called tau proteins. The accumulation of these proteins in the brain is believed to be the main cause of the progression of AD. However, this can be prevented through grape seed extract supplementation. In fact, several studies revealed that grape seed extract can reduce the formation of tau proteins in the brain due to its antioxidant properties.^[10-11]  

References:

1. American Cancer Society. Cancer facts and figures. 2008: Atlanta, GA. Available from: http://www.cancer.org/downloads/STT/2008CAFFfinalsecured.pdf.
2. Leiter U, Garbe C. Epidemiology of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer: the role of sunlight. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2008;624:89–103.
3. Zhao J, Wang J, Chen Y, Agarwal R. Anti-tumor-promoting activity of a polyphenolic fraction isolated from grape seeds in the mouse skin two-stage initiation-promotion protocol and identification of procyanidin B5–3′-gallate as the most effective antioxidant constituent. Carcinogenesis. 1999;20:1737–45.
4. Feringa HH, Laskey DA, Dickson JE, Coleman CI. The effect of grape seed extract on cardiovascular risk markers: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Am Diet Assoc. 2011;111(8):1173-81.
5. Available from: https://www.google.com/patents/US20070104801.
6. Available from: https://www.google.com/patents/US8383165.
7. Available from https://www.google.com/patents/US8663709.
8. Park JS, Park MK, Oh HJ, et al. Grape-seed proanthocyanidin extract as suppressors of bone destruction in inflammatory autoimmune arthritis. PLoS ONE. 2012;7(12):e51377.
9. Martinez-zapata MJ, Vernooij RW, Uriona tuma SM, et al. Phlebotonics for venous insufficiency. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;4:CD003229.
10. Pasinetti GM, Ho L. Role of grape seed polyphenols in Alzheimer’s disease neuropathology. Nutrition and dietary supplements. 2010;2010(2):97-103. doi:10.2147/NDS.S6898.
11. Lian Q, Nie Y, Zhang X, et al. Effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin on Alzheimer’s disease in vitro and in vivo. Exp Ther Med. 2016;12(3):1681-1692.