Grapes have a long history of medicinal use dating back to ancient Greece. Its leaves, vine, and fruit are all used to treat everything from sore throats to cholera, eye infections to nausea.
This treat is made with just about every part of the grape—even the seeds.
The grape seed extract is made from the crushed seeds of grapes. Some of its other names include:
-Grape
-Oligomeric proanthocyanidins
-OPC
-Pycnogenol
The grape seed extract is often available in the form of aromatic oil. Research shows that grape seed extract may provide many health benefits, including:
1. Reduce swelling
Proanthocyanidins in grape seed extract are flavonoids that occur naturally in plants. This component of grapeseed oil can reduce leg swelling that typically occurs when sitting for long periods of time.
2. Lower blood pressure
A study of blood pressure in adults with metabolic syndrome -- most of whom had prehypertension, or elevated blood pressure -- found that blood pressure decreased in those who used grape seed extract.
3. Protect blood vessels
Grape seed extract can effectively protect cardiovascular and cerebrovascular, lower cholesterol, prevent arteriosclerosis, prevent cerebral hemorrhage, stroke, hemiplegia, etc., so elderly friends should use grape seed essential oil to prevent the occurrence of these diseases.
It can also maintain the moderate permeability of capillaries, increase the strength of blood vessels, and reduce the fragility of capillaries.
Grape seed extract can also lower blood fat and blood pressure, inhibit the formation of thrombus, reduce the occurrence of fatty liver, and prevent edema and bloodshot eyes caused by fragile vessel walls.
4. Anti-allergic
Grape seed extract can go deep into cells to fundamentally inhibit the release of the sensitizing factor "histamine" and improve the tolerance of cells to allergens.
It can also scavenge sensitizing free radicals, anti-inflammation, and anti-allergy, stabilize skin vascular tissue, and relieve various allergic symptoms such as urticaria, dry leather fever, and allergic rhinitis.
Therefore, grape seed extract can effectively regulate the body's immunity and completely improve the allergic constitution.
5. Scavenge free radicals, anti-aging, enhance immunity
Grape seed extract can scavenge free radicals and prevent free radicals from damaging human cells.
Protect human organs and tissues, and prevent more than 100 diseases caused by free radicals, such as heart disease, cancer, premature aging, diabetes, and arteriosclerosis.
6. Protect skin, beautify skin
A grape seed extract has the reputation of "skin vitamins" and "oral cosmetics". It can protect collagen, improve skin elasticity and luster, moisturize and remove freckles. It also clears up acne and heals scars.
Grape seed extract can also enhance skin resistance and immunity, prevent skin allergies and various skin diseases, enhance skin anti-radiation ability, and prevent ultraviolet rays from being damaged.
Research suggests grape seed extract may have health benefits, but experts agree more research is needed to confirm this.
The same lack of thorough research means that researchers also don't fully understand the potential health risks of using grape seed extract. You should consult your doctor before using grape seed extract if you:
- pregnant or breastfeeding
You should avoid grape seed extract if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Its effects on this population have not been well studied.
- iron deficiency
Grapeseed oil is known to decrease the body's ability to absorb iron, so people with iron deficiency should use it with caution.
- taking blood thinners
Because grape seed extract acts as a blood thinner, you may be at an increased risk of bleeding if you are already taking blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), or aspirin.
