Grape seeds

by Kat Matina April 22, 2020

They say that it should be consumed in moderation when it comes to a good bottle... But nutritionists around the world also agree that its reasonable daily consumption contains real health benefits. No, we are not going to give you a wine tasting course, but rather talk to you about grapes, and more specifically grape seeds and their benefits for our health...

Overview of Grape Seeds

As their name suggests, grape seeds come from the fruit, the common grape, coming from the vine, vitis vinifera, a plant of the vitaceae family well known to all. The vine has been cultivated since ancient times for the making of wine and for the consumption of the fresh fruit, recognized as excellent for health.

It was only around the 16th century that people became aware of other uses of grapes and their various health properties. Grape seeds , generally used in the form of capsules or oil, are incredibly rich.

Composition and medicinal properties of grape seed

Grape seeds contain various active substances. They contain proanthocyanidins at a rate of 75-80% of the total weight, as well as procyanidins B1, B2 and C1.

These substances are actually condensed tannins with very strong antioxidant power. They play a key role in the proper functioning of the vascular system. We will talk about them in more detail later…

Grape seeds also contain epicatechins and catechins, as well as substances such as resveratrol, rutin, and quercetin in smaller doses. These compounds also have strong antioxidant properties.

Finally, grape seeds contain monounsaturated omega 9 fatty acids (about 13 to 24%), polyunsaturated omega 6 fatty acids (55 to 70%) and saturated fatty acids (about 2 to 7%). Vitamin E is also found in them.

Grape seed promotes good vascular health

Contrary to the accepted idea that it is the resveratrol present in grape seeds that is the most important active principle, recent research has revealed that in reality it is the proanthocyanidins and procyanidins, also known as oligoproanthocyanidins or OPCs, which give them their main properties.

OPCs have extremely powerful antioxidant properties and are highly bioavailable. The body assimilates them very easily and quickly, thus optimizing their beneficial effects. Antioxidants are known to naturally fight free radicals, which accelerate the cellular aging process and increase, among other things, the risks of cardiovascular diseases.

OPCs will therefore limit or even reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and the risk of atherosclerosis by improving endothelial function, i.e. the ability of blood vessels to play their optimal role of transporting and exchanging nutrients within the body. OPCs will also reduce the phenomenon of blood pressure.

Grape seeds regulate cholesterol

It seems that the active substances present in grape seeds allow a better regulation of cholesterol levels in the blood. They would help to reduce bad cholesterol, which would improve the health of the heart and blood vessels in general, as well as the body's metabolism.

Grape seeds against oxidative stress

OPCs present in grape seeds are said to have the ability to prevent and counteract the phenomenon of oxidation and inflammation of cells. This phenomenon is most of the time directly linked to a poor diet, too acidifying, to an average lifestyle (tobacco, alcohol, daily stress, pollution, etc.), generating chronic inflammation of the body and oxidative stress with multiple consequences on both physical and emotional health.

The cosmetic virtues of grape seeds

Grape seeds, mainly in the form of oil, are widely used in cosmetics because they are said to strengthen the structure of the skin. They are said to have the ability to bind collagen, a protein present in connective tissues that gives suppleness and elasticity to the skin. Grape seed oil is also known for its emollient, regenerating, sebum-regulating and healing properties.

What the scientific research says about grape seeds

Cardiovascular health

A clinical study in subjects with metabolic syndrome demonstrated that daily doses of 150 mg and 300 mg of grape seed extract for 4 weeks resulted in a reduction in diastolic and systolic blood pressure (1).

Another study, specifically a meta-analysis of several double-blind clinical trials on the cardiovascular health benefits of grape seed, showed that grape seed use consistently and beneficially decreased heart rate in cases of hypertension, and actually reduced blood pressure (2).

Finally, let us mention a study showing that a daily dose of 1 g of grape seed extract significantly increases vasodilation and blood circulation , and notably improves endothelial function (3).

Metabolic regulation

In at-risk individuals such as smokers, research has shown that 600 mg per day of grape seed extract was effective in reducing total cholesterol levels . However, grape seed extract had no effect on triglycerides (4). Further studies are needed to confirm the ability of grape seed extract on lipid metabolism in general.

Oxidative stress phenomenon

Several studies have demonstrated the antioxidant properties of grape seed extract. A double-blind trial, where participants took either a placebo or a 300 mg dose of grape seed, showed a significant increase in antioxidant activity in the body , starting within the first hour after consuming the extract (5).

Similarly, taking grape seed extract reduces levels of C-reactive protein, a protein linked to the presence of an inflammatory phenomenon in the body (6).

Cosmetic

Finally, clinical trials have shown that applying grape seed oil to the skin helps reduce wrinkles and has a beneficial effect on acne in particular (7).

And while human testing is needed to confirm the data, animal studies have demonstrated the healing properties of grapeseed oil (8).

Grape Seed Dosage, Side Effects and Contraindications

Grape seed extract can be found in capsule form but also in oil form.

In capsule form, the dosage will depend on the OPC dosage proposed by the manufacturer. We have seen that rather high doses, up to 1 g per day, do not present any danger to health. Capsules are preferably taken during meals.

In the form of oil, we prefer a virgin oil from the first cold pressing, of organic quality if possible. Daily cutaneous application does not present any danger.

Conclusion

Grape seed supplementation, in the form of oil or capsule depending on the desired effects, is not only safe, but can truly be a daily ally for our overall health in an environment where we are constantly subject to numerous sources of pollution.