Natural Factors of Grape Seed Extract

Grapes have a remarkable history dating back to the Egyptians, who enjoyed eating grapes at least 6,000 years ago, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Desirable effects resulted from consuming every part of the grape, from the vine and leaves to the skin and seeds. In Greece, philosophers touted the healing power of grapes, usually in the form of wine. European folk medicine practitioners made ointment compounds from the sap of grapevines to treat skin and eye disorders. Grape leaves were used to stop bleeding, inflammation and pain. However, the seeds are believed to be the most potently beneficial part of the grape.

Positive Attributes

• Grape seeds have high concentrations of linoleic acid (an essential omega-6 fatty acid,) flavonoids (antioxidants,) vitamin E, and OPCs (Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins, another powerful antioxidant.)

Uses

• Grape seed extract is available in capsules, tablets and liquid extract. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), it is used in the treatment of a wide range of health issues believed to be related to free radicals, including heart disease, circulatory disorders, cognitive impairments, diabetes, cancer and skin problems.

Ongoing Research

• According to NCCAM, grape seed extract is a super powerful antioxidant, capable of destroying free radicals, the harmful compounds that alter and destroy DNA, and are believed to contribute to heart disease, cancer and aging skin. There is credible research evidence that consuming grape seed extract increases antioxidants in the bloodstream. Standardized extracts are used to treat a variety of diseases believed to be related to free radical damage, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. So far, most research was conducted on animals, so more study of the effects on humans is needed.

Additional Studies

• According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a number of high-quality studies have found that grape seed extract is effective in relieving chronic venous insufficiency and in reducing edema after an injury or surgery. Small randomized trials have found that grape seed extract therapy was successful in treating diabetic retinopathy (an eye problem caused by diabetes,) and in treating vascular fragility (weakness in the small blood vessels.) Larger trials are needed to confirm these results. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is conducting studies to see if grape seed extract prevents breast cancer and prostate cancer. The NCCAM is studying whether grape seed extract may benefit the heart, and prevent cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, and other brain disorders. Another study is looking at the effects of grape seed extract on colon cancer.