In the United States, grape seed extract (GSE) has become a popular health supplement derived from the ground-up seeds of red wine grapes.
But grapes (Vitis vinifera), as well as grape leaves, have been traditional treatments in Europe for thousands of years. They are actually native to Asia near the Caspian Sea, although Egyptians ate grapes at least 6,000 years ago. Ancient Greek philosophers endorsed the healing power of grapes, usually in the form of wine.
European folk healers made an ointment from the sap of grapevines to treat skin and eye diseases. Grape leaves were used to stop bleeding, inflammation and pain.
Unripe grapes were used to treat sore throats, and dried grapes (raisins) were used for constipation and thirst. Round, ripe, sweet grapes were used to treat a range of health problems including cancer, cholera, smallpox, nausea, eye infections and skin, kidney and liver diseases.
So what’s in a grape? Vitamin E, flavonoids, linoleic acid and oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs) are highly concentrated in grape seeds. Lower concentrations of these compounds are also available in the skin of the grape, as well as grape juice and wine. Grape seed extract contains the same antioxidants found in wine.
Resveratrol is another compound in grapes and grape skins that is related to OPCs. Resveratrol has become very popular as an antioxidant and is being studied in connection with a variety of diseases.
Consequently, grapes are considered medicinal plants, with many health claims penned to the seeds of grapes.
Prominent among the health claims is that grape seed extract helps with cardiovascular issues, especially poor circulation (chronic venous insufficiency) and high cholesterol. It’s believed that the antioxidants in grape seed extract help improve blood flow. This might help lower blood pressure, particularly in young to middle-aged people who are overweight. Improving blood flow may also reduce the risk of blood clotting.
Grape seed extract could also help heal wounds faster and improve bone strength. It’s possible that grape seed extract increases production of vascular endothelial growth factor, a compound important in the wound healing process.
Some believe the introduction of GSE into your diet in combination with calcium aids in fortifying bone health.
Additionally, grape seed extract may delay or reduce cognitive decline like the onset of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. This may be possible due to the rich mixture of flavonoids (flavonoids are various compounds found naturally in many fruits and vegetables), which are loaded with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Gallic acid is one of the components of GSE, which might inhibit the formation of beta-amyloid peptides in the brain that are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease.
Grape seed oil may also help combat candida, a yeast-like parasitic fungus that lives in and on the body. Itching and a visible rash are the two most common symptoms of skin fungal infections. An overgrowth of candida can cause conditions like athlete’s foot, ringworm and toenail fungus. Grape seed’s antifungal properties and flavan-3-ols are thought to help fight against candida.
Many people also feel that GSE promotes good kidney health. The reasoning here is that kidneys are particularly susceptible to oxidative damage. GSE may reduce kidney damage and improve function by reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory damage.
The cosmetic industry markets grape seed extract as a skin care product. The idea is that grape seed extract increases cell turnover and collagen synthesis which helps your skin stay elastic and young looking.
Grape seed extract is a dietary supplement commonly available as liquid, tablets or capsules (also cosmetic creams). Supplements commonly contain between 50 and 100 milligrams (mg) of the extract.
As with most dietary supplements, there is no firmly established dose of grape seed extract. However, in most studies (as well as in prescriptions in some European countries), 100 to 300 milligrams per day are usually recommended.
One very important thing to know: GSE is the acronym for both grape seed extract and grapefruit seed extract. Make sure you know which one you’re buying.
Grape seed extract is considered safe for most people. However, side effects have been reported such as dizziness, nausea and headache.
Also, if you have an allergy to grapes, do not use grape seed extract. It’s also recommended to talk with your doctor before taking grape seed extract if you have high blood pressure or a bleeding disorder.
You should also consult with a health professional about possible interactions with grape seed extract if you take any medicines regularly. Grape seed extract might interact with drugs like blood thinners, heart medicines, cancer treatments and even NSAID painkillers such as aspirin, Advil and Aleve.
Grape seed extract is also not recommended for children or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding due to lack of evidence about GSE’s safety.
There are several well regarded studies supporting the link between heart health and grape seed extract – not really surprising considering the proven connection between wine and possible cardiovascular benefits.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) reports that grape seed extract may help reduce systolic blood pressure and heart rate.
Then there’s a review of 16 studies in 810 people with high blood pressure or an elevated risk of it. The studies found that taking 100–2,000 mg of GSE daily significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure by an average of 6.08 mmHg and 2.8 mmHg, respectively.
According to another study, published in the journal Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis, grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) provides “superior antioxidant efficacy as compared to Vitamins C, E and β-carotene.”
Additionally, GSE supplements have been found to reduce LDL oxidation triggered by high fat diets in several animal studies as well as in human research.
An elevated blood level of LDL (bad) cholesterol is a known risk factor for heart disease.
Another study showed that when 8 healthy people ate a high fat meal, taking 300 mg of GSE inhibited the oxidation of fats in the blood, compared with a 150% increase seen in those who did not take GSE.
The claims regarding candida have had some interesting backing. For example, a study conducted in Italy examined grape seed extract’s ability to attack candida. The researchers concluded that GSE with high content of polymeric flavan-3-ols can be used to combat mucosal infections (diseases of the mucous membranes of the mouth and genitals caused by yeast, viruses and bacteria).
Grape seed extract has also shown some potential in claims about wound healing and bone strength.
A study published in the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine showed that (with mice at least) GSE has the potential to increase the speed that wounds heal after researchers applied grade seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) onto wounds on the backs of mice.
Although scientists are somewhat baffled on why this works, GSPE was found to increase production of vascular endothelial growth factor, a compound important in the wound healing process.
Bone strength might also improve through the use of GSE. The most commonly cited study on this topic can be found in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, which investigated the effects of GSPE on fracture healing and biomechanics of healing bone.
The results of the study concluded that GSPE, a potent antioxidant, had a positive effect on bone healing and improved mechanical strength of the healing bone.
Brain health might also be a benefit derived from taking GSE. A few years ago the Society for Neuroscience released a report on research showing that a compound found in grape seed extract reduces plaque formation and resulting cognitive impairment in an animal model of Alzheimer’s disease. The nutritional supplement was as effective as red wine in preventing amyloid beta plaque buildup.
Mount Sinai School of Medicine and colleagues found that grape seed extract prevents amyloid beta accumulation in cells, suggesting that it may block the formation of plaques. In Alzheimer’s disease, amyloid beta accumulates to form toxic plaques that disrupt normal brain function.
Your kidneys may also benefit from grape seed extract. Several animal studies, such a study in 2013, show that GSE may not only reduce kidney damage but also improve kidney function by reducing oxidative stress.
In another interesting study, 23 people who suffered from chronic renal failure, were given 2 grams of grape seed extract daily for six months. Result: Compared to a placebo group, the people who took the GSE saw their urinary protein decrease by 3% and kidney filtration improve by 9%. In other words, the non-placebo group filtered urine more efficiently.
There may even be something to grape seed extract and its cosmetic applications. Research shows that when grape seed extract is applied to skin before UV light exposure, the compounds may have a sunscreen effect, helping to reduce redness and damage to cells.
A study published in the journal Nutrition and Cancer suggests that, when applied topically, grape-derived antioxidants may even have cancer-fighting abilities.
Research has also proven that grape seed extract may improve skin moisture, skin softness and even our skin tone.
There’s even some proof that grape seed extract can act as a catalyst in preserving skin by boosting the vitamin E and vitamin C already available in your skin.
Grape seed extract oil and supplements are popular worldwide for everything from improving circulation to helping wounds heal faster. In recent years, Grape seed extract has appeared in cosmetic creams to provide better skin elasticity and overall skin health.
There is no shortage of empirical research on grape seed extract. Not surprisingly, grape seed extract, like whole grapes themselves, have rated well health-wise in a large number of studies.
The biggest concern is that a disproportionate number of studies have involved animals rather than people. Consequently, more human trials should be conducted to better gage the efficacy of grape seed extract on human health.
Still, grape seed extract is well tolerated in most people and there are positive reports from its users.
But, as with all medicinal plant products, it’s a good idea to check with your medical professional before using.
