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Most people like grapes, don’t they? But what if I told you that the seed you spit out has immense health benefits? Grape seed extract benefits overall body functions; even science swears by it.
It sounds strange, but don’t worry—it helps improve your health. Some benefits could be helpful if you have been experiencing constant health issues.
To help you learn more, we will illuminate the benefits of grape seed extract that you may have yet to know about.
Is Grape Seed Extract Safe to Take?
The most common question regarding grape seed extract is whether it is safe to consume. It is the primary reason why knowing about safety precautions is often better.
You’re mistaken if you think eating the grade seed directly is good. It would help if you consumed the extract, a dietary supplement safe enough for consumption.
Grape seed extract is a good option because it contains antioxidants, especially proanthocyanidins.
So, yes, it is entirely safe to consume. The only thing that you need to do is ensure that you can handle the direct consumption of grape seeds. Rely on consuming the extract only for better health.
How to Incorporate the Grape Seed Extract into Your Diet
Practical Tips on Supplementation:
- Consider including grape seed extract as part of your daily supplement routine.
- Choose standardized extracts to ensure your dosage is constant.
- Begin with a low dose and gradually increase it. You should seek the advice of a qualified medical practitioner to ascertain the dosage that is suitable for your particular health objectives.
Culinary Uses and Recipes Incorporating Grape Seed Extract:
Risks and Side Effects
Even though grape seed extract has many positive impacts on one’s health, it is vital to be aware of the potential hazards and the adverse effects that it may have.
Potential risks or interactions: Due to its ability to influence blood coagulation, grape seed extract may interact with some drugs. Particularly blood thinners, such as warfarin, because it may affect blood pressure levels and interact with medications used to treat high blood pressure. Those who suffer from allergies to grapes or plants that are linked to grapes should steer clear of grape seed extract. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should seek the advice from a healthcare expert before using the product, as its safety in these groups has not been thoroughly studied.
Dosage guidelines and precautions: It is best to begin treatment with a modest dosage and keep a close eye out for adverse reactions. In most cases, the suggested dosage is between 150 and 300 milligrams per day. However, it is essential to adhere to product label guidelines or to seek advice from qualified medical practitioners.
Benefits Of Grape Seed Extra
There are several health benefits of grape seed extract that you need to consider. Focusing on getting the original products would help.
Let us look at some of the best benefits:
Health Benefits of Grape Seed Extract
It is better to start the list with the health benefits of grape seed extract and then focus on the skin benefits.
1. Helps Regulate the Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can stem from several reasons, including constant free radical damage. If you always feel tired and unwell, this can be due to the continuous spread of free radical damage. The best way to fight that is by opting for grape seed extract.
Several studies have shown their benefits on the body, especially in reducing diastolic pressure.
The same is most effective in people who are fat and have body-aligned metabolic problems. It was found (R) that the impacts were the best when the doses were low, around 100-800 mg for 8-16 weeks, rather than consuming a higher dose of 800 mg or more.
If you are consuming blood pressure medication, it is best that you consult a doctor beforehand.
2. Promotes Wound Healing
Another fantastic benefit of grape seed extract is that it promotes better wound healing. Experts believe it has properties that promote the healing process without imposing any side effects.
One study found that the topical application of proanthocyanidin positively promoted better wound healing. The researchers also found that the direct topical application of grape seed extract helped quicken the healing process without any issues.
It is effective for dermal wound healing without causing any negative impact. The extract’s application helps promote the production of the vascular endothelial growth factor, which has beneficial impacts on the overall wound healing process.
3. Support the Heart and Blood Vessels
A study found that supplementation with grape seed extract helps protect the blood vessels in the body and the heart from free radical damage caused by nitric oxide.
Apart from that, supplementing the body with grape seed extract has also been found to have direct impacts on heart disease because it manages the levels of bad cholesterol in the body.
It prevents the unprecedented oxidation of LDL, which has been found to directly impact plaque buildup and enhance the risks of atherosclerosis in the body.
4. Enhances Blood Flow and Circulation
Another benefit of the grape seed extract is that it helps in boosting the blood circulation in the body.
The primary reason is that it has immense antioxidative properties, which prevent free radical damage and, hence, prevent unnecessary blood clots in the blood vessels.
It ensures smooth and unobstructed blood flow, which is reasonably necessary for the body’s overall functioning.
If you face circulatory issues, supplementation with grape seed extract can definitely improve the overall well-being of the body.
Also, Read: Natural Ways to Improve Blood Circulation
5. Enhances the Bone Strength
Yet another one of the health benefits of grape seed extract is the fact that it helps in boosting bone strength. Studies suggest that including the grape seed extract along with the calcium has been found to have beneficial impacts in strengthening the bone structure.
If your calcium levels are low in the body, adding this supplement can most definitely help boost the absorption of calcium into the bones, thus further strengthening the bones.
Enhance your calcium intake and add this to the mix as well because it can bring about changes you didn’t have much idea about.
6. Prevention of Cancer
Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases in the world, and the grape seed extract benefits in preventing cancer for the better. It is always best to focus on consulting a doctor first.
Supplementation with grape seed extract helps mainly because it contains a lot of proanthocyanidins, which have antioxidative properties that prevent unprecedented free radical damage in the body.
The lesser the free radical damage, the lesser the cancer risks in the body.
Even in a study with around 35,000 participants, grape seed extract supplementation helped reduce the risks of prostate cancer by 41%. The same trial also found that it helped reduce the risks of blood cancer by 43%, which was pretty stark.
More studies are needed to determine what this entails, but for the most part, it does help maintain proper results in preventing cancer.
7. Promotes Better Brain Health
Our brain is subjected to a lot of deterioration over the course of time as we age. It is not just the antioxidants in the grape seed extract that help; the gallic acid in the extract also further helps promote the overall well-being associated with this condition.
Gallic acid has been found to have beneficial impacts in helping prevent the formation of fibrils in the brain, which are associated with clusters of beta-amyloid peptides.
Several animal studies conducted with grape seed extract suggest that it helps reduce unnecessary brain lesions and even promotes better cognitive abilities and brain functions.
8. Promotes Better Mental Health
The deteriorating mental health could also result from the oxidative damage caused to the brain over time, apart from the emotional state.
The best way to handle this is with grape seed extract, as it helps manage the signs and symptoms and even prevent the risks caused by it.
Even in some conducted studies, it has been found that the supplementation with the grape seed extract does help with enhanced and improved cognition, which further helps handle the symptoms of stress and depression (R) that many often tend to complain about.
9. Improves the Renal Function
Another benefit of the grape seed extract is that it promotes better renal function. The kidneys are often at risk of oxidative damage, and the best way to prevent that is to opt for means that can help prevent the issue.
This specific extract is found capable enough because it handles the signs of inflammation (R) as well as the constant bout of free radical damage that is often responsible for renal failure.
Consuming the extra has also been found to have beneficial impacts, helping filter the urine and enhancing overall renal function.
10. Protects the Liver
Yet another benefit of grape seed extract is that it helps protect the liver. Although there isn’t much scientific evidence to justify this, it does state that it helps reduce the risks imposed by fatty liver on the body.
In a study (R) involving 15 participants who had a severe drop in liver enzymes along with fat buildup, it was found that supplementation with grape seed extract was much better than Vitamin C.
It is mainly the antioxidative property that helps improve the condition of the liver, which many people complain about.
11. Promotes Weight Loss
If you are obese or overweight and have difficulty losing weight, the best way to manage your weight is to indulge in some of the health benefits of grape seed extract.
It has been found that the consumption of the same helps in boosting the overall burning of excess fats in the body. Clinical trials are yet to be conducted but the animal studies do suggest that this has positive impacts on weight loss.
In an animal study with subjects on a high-fat diet, it was found that supplementation with grape seed extract had positive benefits in helping to lose excess fat in the body.
12. Has Positive Impacts on Diabetes
Experts believe grape seed extract tremendously improves the condition of those suffering from diabetes.
A study found that supplementing with grape seed extract helps lower uncontrollable blood glucose levels and even promotes insulin secretion.
In addition, the antioxidative properties also helped manage the issues faced with consuming a high sugar-based diet.
13. Improves Collagen Production
Another one of the benefits of this extract is that it helps in improving collagen synthesis in the body.
Although not much evidence shows what causes it in the first place, experts believe the presence of antioxidants is the cause.
Further studies are needed to establish why this happens and how it can benefit skin health.
14. Prevents Hair Loss
Yet another primary benefit of grape seed extract is that it helps prevent hair loss.
The presence of the procyanidins helps bring forth results that you didn’t even think were possible.
In a trial conducted with 250 men, it was found that procyanidins help strengthen the hair roots and even prevent unnecessary hair loss. They also strengthen the hair strands, which further help promote better growth without any issues.
15. Prevents Infections
Another of the impacts that is quite common with the grape seed benefits is that it helps prevent infections in the body.
Apart from its beneficial antioxidative properties, this has also been found to help improve viral or even bacterial infections that affect the skin.
This condition can quickly cure candidiasis. Treating the infection does help get rid of it within a week or so.
16. UV Protection
Grape seed extract is also a good option because it helps promote better UV protection.
In a study, a group of participants were given the necessary grape seed extract before they were finally exposed to UV rays. They found that the extract had beneficial impacts in helping prevent excessive mutation, which is often quite common when directly exposed to the sun.
What are the Side Effects of Grape Seed Extract?
Like the benefits, grape seed extract has its fair share of side effects.
Knowing about the same does help ensure you don’t face the consequences. If you want the absolute best, it is important that you know about the benefits as well as the side effects as well.
Let us take a look at some of the side effects:
1. Excess Bleeding
One of the most common side effects of this extract is the fact that it can promote excessive bleeding.
Although it does prevent blood clots, it can also make the blood flow excessively, making it hard for the bleeding to stop when you have an injury or cut.
In addition, grape seed extract is believed to be a substantial contributor to internal bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.
2. Stroke
Because the consumption of grape seed extract can cause internal bleeding, the same has been found to have direct impacts in inducing strokes in the brain because of the possible bleeding.
Experts don’t understand what causes it, but they believe it can happen when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, causing irritation and stroke.
3. Can Impact Pregnant Women
Another one of the side effects is the fact that it isn’t the safest for pregnant women. Experts suggest you avoid consuming this supplement if you are pregnant or trying to conceive because of its side effects.
Even for nursing women, it is best to consult a doctor before consuming the supplements.
4. Intervene with Other Drugs
If you are taking serious medication for a health issue, grapefruit extract can interfere with its function. This is why it is important to avoid it or talk to a doctor before taking it.
What is the Best Grape Seed Extract?
When selecting the best grape seed extract, we have listed the best three you can look into.
Zazzee Grape Seed Extract
The Zazzee Grape Seed Extract comes in a bottle containing 180 capsules. It is made completely from natural grape seed extract without any additives. Each capsule contains at least 400 mg of grape seed extract, which is optimal for the body.
NOW Supplements, Grape Seed
The second on the list is the NOW Supplements, Grape Seed, which comes in two packages of 100 and 200 veg capsules. Every capsule has a minimum of 90% polyphenols, ensuring the best impacts for your body and profoundly preventing oxidative stress risks.
Puritans Pride Grapeseed Extract
The Puritans Pride Grapeseed Extract is a leading grape seed extract brand with 120 capsules in each bottle. Every capsule contains 200 mg of the extract, ensuring maximum impact and bioavailability for better overall health.
The benefits of grape seed extract are quite ample for our overall health. If you have been struggling with any of the issues that we have mentioned above, it is best that you opt for this supplement. The only thing that you need to focus on is ensuring that you consult a doctor before taking it.
References
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/263332
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/grape-seed-extract-benefits
- https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/grape-seed-extract
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7054588
- https://www.lifeextension.com/wellness/supplements/benefits-of-grape-seed-extract
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-benefits-of-grape-seed-extract-89055
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/grape-seed-extract
- https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/the-health-hub/vitamins-and-supplements/supplements/what-is-grapeseed-extract