We have all heard that red wine has a lot of health benefits and it is a well-known fact that one glass a day can do wonders for man’s health. Most of us also know about the powerful antioxidant resveratrol which is the secret for the red wine’s properties.
However, very few know about the other wonders of red grapes and namely - the seeds. In the following article, we will disclose how strong and useful the antioxidant properties of the little seeds are.
The grape seed extract is a rich source of various antioxidants. The prevailing one is called procyanidin. It is interesting to note that procyanidins are a chain of catechin molecules which are typical components of green tea.
Although they derive from the grape, procyanidins have a similar structure to resveratrol. Procyanidins differ in structure from anthocyanins, other powerful polyphenol components.
Grape seeds are a rich source of vitamin E, which is also a powerful antioxidant. They contain fats and linoleic acid, which is highly concentrated. Grape seeds can improve blood circulation and its dilution of platelets. Tests have shown positive effects with the use of 400 mg of extract per day for a period of 8 weeks.
A strong positive effect in menopausal women and patients in risk groups has been established. There is a reason why many wise men have said that the seeds are "a reflection of the entire universe."
However, Grape Seed Extract in a structure is more related to Green Tea Catechins than to Resveratrol mechanistically. But let's look close to the hidden power of small seeds.
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What Is Grape Seed
The fruits of the vine (Vitis vinifera) have been used as food for thousands of years. It is documented that the Egyptians ate grapes 6000 years ago and some Greek philosophers have discovered their health benefits, especially in the form of wine.
Folk healers from Europe have done ointments from the juice of red grapes and have successfully dealt with eye and skin problems and diseases. Grape seeds are a rich source of various antioxidants. The prevailing one is called procyanidin. It is interesting to note that procyanidins are a chain of catechin molecules which are typical components of green tea.
Although they derive from the grape, procyanidins have a similar structure to resveratrol. Procyanidins differ in structure from anthocyanins, other powerful polyphenol components.
Besides the grape seed, procyanidin can be found also in apples, berries, barley, cocoa, and pine bark. Other sources are grape skin and red wine, but their concentrations are much lower.
Procyanidin may constitute up to 90% of all the antioxidants in the grape seed. Analyzes have found that the grape seed has other antioxidants but in very little quantities, namely: rutin, resveratrol, catechin, epicatechin, and quercetin.
Only the quercetin concentration can reach 8% and that makes it the second most abundant antioxidant. Grape seeds are a rich source of vitamin E, which is also a powerful antioxidant. They contain fats and linoleic acid, which is highly concentrated.
Potential and Proven Benefits for People:
- Grape seeds can improve blood circulation and its dilution of platelets. Tests have shown positive effects with the use of 400 mg of extract per day for a period of 8 weeks. A strong positive effect in menopausal women and patients in risk groups has been established.
- The impact on the circulation of the blood is expressed in a reduction of legs swelling, caused by prolonged sitting or difficult blood supply;
- Grape seeds show a strong anti-inflammatory effect in people with type 2 diabetes by reducing C-reactive protein from 3.2 to 2.0 units. Although reducing the oxidation of LDL, the whole grape seed does not influence cholesterol and triglyceride levels;
- Grape seeds help for increasing good cholesterol during a 12-week course of supplementation. However, there is no effect on bad cholesterol and triglycerides;
- It has been found that grape seeds successfully lower blood pressure as this may be a secondary effect of the dilution of the blood. An interesting fact is that the combination of grape seed (1000 mg), vitamin C (500 mg) decreases the blood pressure to a greater degree than either substance alone. Most studies have found also cardiac depression as another positive effect;
- It has been found that grape seeds successfully lower blood pressure as this may be a secondary effect of the dilution of the blood. An interesting fact is that the combination of grape seed (1000 mg), vitamin C (500 mg) decreases the blood pressure to a greater degree than either substance alone. Most studies have found also cardiac depression as another positive effect;
- Grape seeds might have the potential properties of a carbohydrate blocking agent; it has been proven that they block the alpha-amylase enzyme. Grape seed extract also blocks alpha-amylase, having 4 to 7 times more effective than green tea or isolate EGCG. Grape seeds also have potential benefits for the regulation of the after allergy effects, such as inflammation and a strong immune system reaction;
- There is no consensus on the antioxidant activity of grape seeds on people. Some studies do not indicate positive results while others do. The comparative, study concludes that grape seeds have a powerful antioxidant activity of equivalent to a dose of resveratrol;
- Grape seeds successfully reduce stomach ulcers after a deliberate irritation with alcohol or aspirin. Grape seeds are more effective than vitamin E but with a lower potency than vitamin C;
- Grape seeds show positive effects on the skin as long-term use of 6 months improves the appearance of the skin, reduces wrinkles around the eyes, face, and hands, and increases the skin density.
How Does Grape Seed Works
Scientists have proven that procyanidins get metabolized to catechins during oral intake, which makes them similar to the catechins in green tea. At this stage, there are no actual observations on the rate of metabolism and no information for the special kinds of procyanidins.
The conversion of procyanidins into catechins can provide some of the green tea’s benefits because that ensures two of the six types of catechins present in green tea. Procyanidins have a relatively high degree of metabolism in the body.
In a long period of intake, it has been found that only 0.5% of procyanidin gets discarded through urine. On the other hand, parts of the procyanidins become catechins and by that, the rate of discharge is far higher.
Despite the full metabolism, after getting into the blood, procyanidins have relatively low absorption in the intestinal tract. Tests on humans and animals show that the level of digestibility of about 13% which is almost identical to the assimilation of antioxidants in green tea and turmeric.
The reason for the low bioavailability of procyanidins is their metabolism in catechins, which makes them absorbed more easily. Although it is considered that grape seed is stable in the gastric environment of the stomach, the high acidity may lead to the conversion of procyanidins into monomers.
It has been found, by comparative tests, that the assimilation of grape seed is almost three times higher on an empty stomach compared with the one with an intake of carbohydrates.
The main action mechanism in the grape seed is associated with its strong antioxidant activity and ability to inhibit certain pro-inflammatory proteins. Grape seeds also positively influence nitrogen balance.
Procyanidins have a direct effect on the enzymatic activity in the body; they successfully suppress certain metabolic enzymes such as aromatase or digestive enzymes such as alpha-amylase and lipase.
Side Effects
The grape seed extract has very low toxicity. Daily intake for a long period of time in the range of 200-400 mg per day shows no sign of toxicity. More detailed observations have found that the toxic dose of grape seed is 1500 mg/ kg body weight.
Doses up to 600 mg per day usually do not show side effects. Some users, though, might feel nausea and upset stomach. Grape seeds dilate blood vessels and can cause a drop in blood pressure, and therefore, they are not recommended for people with low blood pressure.
Grape seeds can impact negatively on people with high blood pressure or blood clotting problems. Grape seeds suppress the activity of certain digestive enzymes and may hinder the absorption of food.
They affect the alpha-amylase enzyme which is responsible for the breakdown of carbohydrates. Concomitant use of grape seed with carbohydrates may worsen their absorption.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women are not recommended to take grape seed due to the lack of sufficient data for side effects. People, allergic to grapes, are also not recommended to consume the seeds.
Recommended Dosage
Effective doses on people vary between 200 mg and 400 mg daily; the maximum recommended dose is 600 mg. The intake of grape seed varies from 4 to 12 weeks, without any side effects.
How to Combine Grape Seeds
The intake of grape seeds with medication from the anticoagulants category is not recommended. Grape seed helps to thin the blood and can interact negatively with similar medicines, including the widespread acetyl.
Where Can We Find Grape Seeds
Grape seeds are presently being sold as a dietary supplement. They can be found as a standalone product or as part of a complex formula. The market offers Grape Seed Extract with a high concentration of procyanidin, which may vary between 80 and 95%.
Products in the form of capsules are more common and usually, the dosage is 100 mg or 200 in the capsule. Grape seeds can be more rarely found in the form of powder. The grape seed is often used in medical and sports formulas.
In the sports supplementation, the grape seed is mainly used in pre-workout formulas for higher quality or vasodilation or in formulas for estrogen regulation. In health complex formulas, we can find grape seed in for heart health products or combined antioxidants.
Grapes are one of the most ancient and wholesome food. It has ennobled our homelands as well. Each part of the grape has its qualities - the fruit juice, the skin, even the vine leaves. The grape seeds are a tiny part of the fruit. They, however, provide some of the most powerful antioxidants with many beneficial properties for the human body.
Some of these properties are proven, others are controversial, and some yet to be proved. The grape seed is one of the most powerful antioxidants and is a good choice for both prophylaxis and treatment of certain health conditions. With such a gift of nature, why not add one capsule of grape seed to your cup red wine every night!
