What benefit of grape seed extract is coveted by cultures around the globe? Grape seed extract strengthens and protects the cells and walls of arteries, capillaries and veins. It’s ability to prevent free radical damage to these systems aids greatly in lowering cholesterol and preventing clogged arteries.
Grape seed extract is a natural plant component derived from whole grape seeds that contain concentrated sources of OPC’s and other antioxidants.
Other research, although preliminary, shows another major benefit of grape seed extract is wound healing. Like pine bark extract, early cultures used salves of grape seed extract in dressing wounds. It’s also fantastic for the prevention of tooth decay, osteoporosis and helps in the prevention of skin cancer and ultraviolet damage to the skin.
Why is grape seed extract better than other antioxidants? According to extensive research done on Activin grape seed extract, grape seed extract is 20 times more potent than vitamin C and 50 times stronger than vitamin E. It improves cardiovascular health and helps promote eye, skin and brain health. It is one of the few antioxidants that can penetrate the blood barrier which allows it to protect the brain and nerve tissue.
NOTE: You’ll often see it spelled grapeseed, which is just a different way of spelling the same thing.
What about Grape Skin Extract?
If you’ve been reading any of the other pages here, and they’re all good by the way :), you’d notice that red wine is better for you than white wine because of the skins.
Wine without grapes skins is wine without health.
So, grape skin extract is just that – all the good stuff in the skins. So what’s in the skins?
- OPC’s!
- Quercetin
- Catechins
- Flavonols
- anthocyanidins
- nonbioflavonoid polyphenols including resveratrol
Grape Skin and Grape Seed extract are sold as supplements. Most have between 200 – 600mg per serving. But no matter what you’re sold, remember that absorption is the key. Read more about nutritional supplements to help determine the right one for you.
Grape Seed Extract Side Effects
There are very few side effects reported with grape seed extract. If you are allergic to grapes, try pine bark extract. If you have any concerns, it is always prudent to check with your health care provider before using any supplements.
Also, check the fillers associated with any grape seed extract and any supplement.