Grape expectations: healthwise, grape seed extract offers something for everyone

Better Nutrition, Nov, 2006 by Maryann Hammers

Grapes are good, and red wine is better. But when it comes to packing a potent antioxidant punch without the calories, sugar or alcohol, grape seed extract is the winner.

"One would have to eat large amounts of grapes or drink two glasses of red wine or grape juice to get effective amounts of the polyphenolic (flavonoid) compounds," says C. Tissa Kappagoda, MD, PhD, director of the Preventive Cardiology Program at University of California, Davis. "Wine and grape juice also contain alcohol, sugar and about 130 calories per six-ounce glass."

How Crape Seed Might Help You With more antioxidant power than vitamins C or E, grape seed extract is full of flavonoids that have cardioprotective, antitumor and anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic and antiallergic benefits. case reports and laboratory and animal studies show that the supplement strengthens blood vessels and may protect against cancer, heart disease, viruses and cell damage from drugs, pollution, tobacco and other toxins.

Preliminary evidence shows that oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), found in grape seed extract and pine bark extracts, can help reduce pain and swelling of the legs in chronic venous insufficiency (related to varicose veins).

Evidence for Grape Extract Here's a quick look at some more health research on grape seed extract:

* Kappagoda conducted a one-month study on 24 men and women with metabolic syndrome, characterized by high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, insulin resistance and abdominal fat. Those who received grape seed extract saw an average 12-point drop in systolic blood pressure and an eight-point drop in diastolic pressure, along with reduced LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels. And a Georgetown University trial revealed that grape seed extract and chromium, when combined, reduced total and LDL cholesterol.

* A study at City of Hope Medical Center in Duarte, CA, showed that grape seed extract may help protect against breast cancer.

* Scientists at Buffalo General Hospital in New York said that the flavonoids in grape seed extract "possess promising anti-HW effects."

* A small double-blind trial found that OPCs from bilberry and grape seed extract may help lessen water retention associated with PMS.

Picking a High-Quality Product

"Look for standardized extracts that contain at least 80%-90% OPCs," says Honolulu naturopathic physician Laurie Steelsmith, ND, author of Natural Choices for Women's Health. "If it doesn't say 'standardized extract' on the label, it is a lower-quality product."

Dosage and Cautions

With so many benefits, grape seed extract in dosages of 50-200mg per day is an easy and inexpensive way to add antioxidant "insurance" to your diet.

Although generally without side effects, OPCs in grape seed extract may have blood-thinning properties in high doses and could interact with anticoagulant medications. Also, maximum safe dosages for pregnant or nursing women, young children, or those with liver/kidney disease have not been established.

A GRAPE BY OTHER NAME

Not all grape seed extracts are the same. Take muscadine seed extract, for example, a new supplement now available at health food stores. If you are from the southeastern United States, you may be familiar with muscadines, which are abundant in this region. These thicker-skinned grapes are in a different subgenus from other grape species and have two more chromosomes than wine grapes. A handful of manufacturers now offer extracts in capsule and liquid forms. "Muscadine grape seeds have an exceptionally high level of antioxidants and flavonoids with potent anti-inflammatory and potential anticancer properties. Research shows that they are higher in these beneficial compounds than other grape seeds," says naturopathic physician Lauri Steelsmith.

NATURE'S LIFE GRAPE SEED EXTRACT SOFTGEL vegetarian capsules provide 100mg of the extract.

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NATURE'S PEARL MUSCADINE GRAPE SEED has broader antioxidant potential, thanks to the muscadine grape's unique structure.

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NATURAL FACTORS GRAPE SEED EXTRACT with 95% PCOs offers greater bioavailability of its active components.

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A special process helps ensure optimal absorption of ENZYMATIC THERAPY GRAPE SEED PCO PHYTOSOME 50 capsules.

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