Grape Seed Extract
Grape seed extract is a relatively new antioxidant that is currently being subjected to research and scientific curiosity. Antioxidants like Grape Seed have an important role to play in the body, because they promote the oxidation of free radicals, which in turn can promote cellular health and reduce the risk of certain cancers and heart diseases.
Background and History
Grape seed extract first caught the attention of scientists who were trying to answer the question known as the “French paradox”. Scientists were wondering why the French people, who had traditional diets that contribute to heart failure, had lower heart failure occurrences. In fact, French heart failure occurrences had a number that was roughly half of American heart failure occurrences.
Research suggests that the difference between French and American diets lies within their intake of red wine. True enough, further studies have shown that red wine contains high amounts of oligomeric proanthocynanidins, or OPCs. OPCs are very effective antioxidants, being 20 times more effective that Vitamin C and 50 times more effective than Vitamin E. Grape seeds are known to be the richest source of OPCs, and have since been marketed as antioxidant dietary supplements, packaged in liquid or gel tablets.
Cardiovascular Benefits
Countless studies have been made to demonstrate the health benefits that grape seed extract can provide. Extensive research around the globe, especially in Europe, has found grape seed to do exceptionally well in promoting antioxidant activity, cardiovascular health as well as gastric health.
OPCs, the active ingredients found in grape seed extract, are known to increase blood circulation to all areas of the body. In particular, OPCs are known to strengthen microscopic capillary walls, therefore improving blood circulation in delicate parts of the body with very thin capillaries, such as the eyes.
Neurological Benefits
OPCs also possess rare properties that make them very valuable to one’s mental health. OPCs are some of the very few antioxidants that can make it past the brain-blood barrier, which is a selectively permeable guard, strictly designed by evolution to protect harmful substances from reaching the brain. Thus, the antioxidant properties of OPCs, found in grape seed extract, can be benefited by the nervous system. Because of this, grape seed extract can give a person mental alertness, clarity of thought and a better memory, as well as protection from certain forms of dementia.
This is important in the field of neurological health. OPCs found in grape seed extract will benefit brain tissue by removing harmful free radicals. It can also improve blood circulation in microscopic capillaries found everywhere in the brain, therefore reducing the risk of stroke. In fact, studies are now being conducted for any possible relationship between grape seed extract and the memory capabilities of patients with Alzheimer and dementia.
Dosage and Side-effects
The recommended dosage of grape seed is about 50mg a day. Currently, there is little or no side effects being reported with grape seed extract. However, grape seed extract can cause excessive bleeding for people using blood thinners. Also, you should not take grape seed extract if you are allergic to grapes.
Grape seed extract is such a potent antioxidant squeezed into a very small package. For people who need brain power more than anything else, this may be a supplement that you will need!
