One of the most often consumed fruits worldwide is the grape. They are delicious, adaptable, and consumed daily by millions of people. Though many people adore grapes for their delectable flavor, did you know that this fruit is also nutrient-rich? In fact, grapes include a number of minerals and chemicals that are good for your body.
Grapes, grape leaves, and grape sap have all been used as medicinal remedies for thousands of years throughout Europe. Grapes are widely planted since they are one of the most important fruits in winemaking, which dates back to the time of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Research has showed that the proanthocyanidins found in grape seeds have powerful antioxidant properties. Many people are aware that red wine is good for the heart, but what about white wine or grape juice? How useful is grape seed extract, and what is grape seed extract good for?
IN THIS ARTICLE
07. Conclusion
What Exactly Is Grape Seed Extract?
Grape extract comes from the pressed seeds of the grape vine. There is proanthocyanidin in it. This phenolic compound is included with the flavonoids, another class of plant-based phytochemicals. You can classify it as a type of tannin.
When the extracts from grape is removed, dried, and ground into a powder it creates grape seed extract (GSE), a well-known nutritional supplement. Antioxidants such as phenolic acids, anthocyanins, flavonoids, and oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs) can be found in abundance in grape seeds. Indeed, GSE is among the most well-known sources of proanthocyanidins.
BENEFITS OF GRAPE SEED EXTRACT
It can be used as a supplement or first aid to treat a variety of health ailments and has many of the same advantages as grapes.
Antioxidants
A large increase in blood antioxidant activity levels was observed in a study involving healthy volunteers after they were given grape seed extract. Grape seed extract’s most notable advantages lie in its ability to maintain normal blood pressure and circulation.
Promotes Healthier Blood Flow
Vasodilation (or the loosening of vascular tension) is triggered by grape seed extract, which lowers intravascular pressure and improve blood flow. Grapeseed extract boosts the enzyme endothelial nitric oxide synthase, which is one mechanism through which it exerts its effects (eNOS). Nitric oxide (NO) is produced by an enzyme located in vessel walls. Grapeseed extract boosts nitric oxide production by boosting endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), which in turn aids in the relaxation of vascular smooth muscle and the maintenance of a healthy blood pressure. When you have good blood circulation you can also prevent cardiovascular risk and other heart disease.
The incidence of blood clots in the blood vessel was reduced by 400 mg of GSE in a trial of 17 healthy postmenopausal women that lasted 8 weeks. Another study looked at the effects of 6 hours of sitting after a single 400mg dosage of proanthocyanidin from GSE in 8 healthy young women. Leg edoema and swelling were shown to be reduced by 70% when compared to patients who did not take GSE.
In the same study, there was a 40% reduction in leg swelling after 6 hours of sitting in the same study group of 8 healthy young women who took proanthocyanidins from GSE daily for 14 days.
Preventing Cancer
However, it is still unknown whether grape seed extract similarly lowers the risk of producing cancer cells in humans. Scientists have shown that grape seed can help fight free radicals in animal studies and laboratory experiments (chemical byproducts believed to induce inflammation and oxidative stress connected with cancer).
In small trials, those who took GSE had higher antioxidant levels. A 2021 analysis of 19 human studies revealed appreciable reductions in oxidative stress following supplementation with grape seed extract. But the indications of inflammation only somewhat improved.
However, there haven’t been many studies done on humans up to this point, and the ones that have been are frequently contradictory. As a result, there is not enough data to assess these advantages for people.
Alzheimer's disease
The ability of grape seed extract to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease has some promise. However, the majority of the evidence for this effect comes from animal and lab experiments. For instance, in studies on mice, researchers found that grape seed extract reduced inflammation and prevented the buildup of chemicals known to produce the brain plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease. More research on humans is required to further know it’s effects on mental health.
Increasing Bone Density
When combined with calcium, grape seed extract “beneficially affects bone growth and bone strength for the treatment of bone debility induced by a low level of calcium,” studies have shown.
This is supported by a study that examined the impact of calcium and proanthocyanidins on the bone formation of mice fed a low-calcium diet and was published in the Journal of Musculoskeletal & Neuronal Interactions.
Protects your liver
Your liver is crucial in the process of detoxifying dangerous compounds that are ingested by your body as a result of medicines, viral infections, pollution, alcohol, and other factors.
Your liver seems to benefit from extract GSPE’s protecting properties both in womens health and mens health.
Grapeseed extract reduces inflammation, regenerated antioxidants, and guarded against free radical damage following toxin exposure in experiments conducted in test tubes.
In one supporting research, GSE was administered for three months to 15 participants who had non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and consequently elevated ALT levels. Results of taking 2 grams of vitamin C per day were compared with monthly liver enzyme monitoring. The ALT was reduced by 46% in the GSE group after three months, but not in the vitamin C group.
Wound Recovery
The potential exists for grape seed extract to accelerate the healing of wounds. In a study, proanthocyanidin extract was given to mouse back wounds, which was then published in the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine. They discovered that the mice treated with this treatment recovered more quickly.
The researchers claim that their work gave clear data to show that topical application of GSPE [Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract] represents a method that is viable and effective to enhance cutaneous wound healing and also shows improvement in skin health.
It has been discovered that GSPE increases production of vascular endothelial growth factor, a substance crucial to the healing process of wounds, albeit it is unclear how this protection works.
Grape Seed Extract Side Effects
Grape seed extract is typically regarded as safe. In general, it can be well tolerated, especially when taken orally.
Common side effects include:
- Headache
- stomach ache
- sore throat
- dizziness
- Nausea
- itchy scalp
Before using grape seed extract, it’s crucial to consult your doctor or care provider because it may alter how your liver breaks down some medications.
It should not be consumed by women who are pregnant or lactating because there is little information on its effects in these groups.
For people on blood-thinning or blood pressure drugs, caution is advised because GSE may drop blood pressure, thin your blood, and increase blood flow.
Suggested Dosage
There isn’t a grape seed extract dosage that has been proven to work. Doses. Humans have been reported to tolerate doses of about 300-800 mg per day for 8-16 weeks without any adverse effects.
Always talk to your doctor before considering the usage of herbal supplements. You might also think about speaking with a doctor who specializes in the use of herbal remedies and dietary supplements.
Use grape seed as instructed on the container or as advised by your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional if you decide to use it. Use only as much of this product as the label instructs.
Grape Seed Extract in Effervescent Form
Numerous well-known supplements contain grape seed extract. Grape seed extract is available in effervescent pills, just like other vitamins derived from fruits and vegetables. Here, we evaluated the most popular type of grape seed extract, which is a component of effervescent tablets, to determine its efficacy. Try Juju Health and Wellness products like Juju Collagen and Juju Gluta Bright if you’re looking for an effervescent tablet that contains grape seed extract.
For healthy skin, hair, and nails, consider using Juju Collagen, a nutritional supplement in effervescent tablet form. It is an effervescent tablet with a berry flavor that contains vitamin C, vitamin e, elastin, collagen and grape seed extract, to help prevent skin inflammation.
If you’re seeking for an alternative supplement to your glutathione intake, you can also consider Juju Gluta Bright. A peach-flavored effervescent tablet called Juju Gluta Bright promotes healthier, lighter skin, an improved metabolism, and a stronger immune system. Also, it contains glutathione, vitamin C and grape seed extract, all of which help lighten dark spots, even out skin tone, and shield skin from sun damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can you take grape seed extract?
When used in moderation, grape seed extract is generally well tolerated. In tests involving humans, it has been tested safely for up to 11 months. If you take anticoagulants (blood thinners), such as aspirin or warfarin, or if you have a bleeding disorder, are having surgery, or any of these things, it may not be safe for you.
How often should I take grape seed extract?
For heart health, human studies have employed doses of 150–300 mg of grape seed extract daily; however, doses as high as 600 mg have been used without any adverse effects being noted.
When should I take grape seed extract morning or night?
You can take grape seed extract at any time of the day, but you should stick to a regular schedule, especially if you’re using it to treat a specific illness. You must consistently consume grape seed extract if you want to see a consistent effect.
Does grape seed extract affect sleep?
By boosting the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin and, thanks to its antioxidant properties, reducing the effects of both internal and external stress, grape seed extract helps the mind unwind and promotes sleep.
What should you not take grape seed extract with?
Blood thinners, NSAID painkillers (including aspirin, Advil, and Aleve), some cardiac medications, cancer treatments, and other medications may interact with it.
Conclusion
So there you have it, why grapeseed is good for you. The decision to use this supplement is ultimately yours, but it is something to think about.
Make sure to conduct your research if you’re interested in including grape seed into your diet. You should first discuss the safety of the medication with your doctor, as you do with anything that is taken on a long-term basis. Grape seed extract should be added to your diet rather than utilized as a substitute for getting your vitamins and minerals regularly.