ShopGrapes have been eaten since prehistoric times and there are several cultivars, which range from North American, European and crossbreeding hybrids. Historically they have been revered for their properties to create wines however as more information becomes available… researchers continue to explore the health benefits associated with the chemical make up of grapes, the grape seeds, and the grape skin. All these elements combined give insight in to the positive health benefits related to food sources.
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Grape-seed extract, is derived from grape seeds and skin and put through a series of distillations and alcohol purifications and is classified as a flavonoid-rich extract. With the contents of high antioxidant structures in this fruit extract this exhibits the ability to fight the reactive oxidative species systemically. In our body there are radicals that are released and try to break down cell membranes- for example DNA molecules. As an antioxidant its antioxidant activity is some fifty times greater than that of vitamin E and twenty times greater than vitamin C. Basic structure also provides evidence with protection against such neurodegenerative diseases, protection of the lungs, varicose veins and heart disease [1].
In plants coverings and seeds the common compound that is found is oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs). These compounds are widely used for treating varicose veins and venous disorders. This anti-oxidative component is also related to protection to environmental disruptions such as pollution and second hand smokers[6].Our body takes this compound in and mechanistically works with our metabolism rates. Also binding with the intestinal mucosa layer, which is additional protection against oxidative stress and carcinogens. Several studies have been done in vitro and in vivo to show the effects on cancerous tumors. These clinical trials provide evidence that in vivo the grape seed extract was evaluated to inhibit growth in areas that stimulate uncontrollable cell division in oral, breast, colon, and prostate tumor cells [2,5].
When related to cardiovascular health there are also positive results that indicate grape seed extract also provides protection within the cardiovascular system. For example the grape-seed extract promotes the removal of plaque build up within the arteries. The antioxidants also serve as a protector from the bad cholesterol that build up which is termed as low density lipoprotein (LDL). The oxidative effects that are produced from OPC’s are shown in human hearts and helps to flush out cholesterol and treat inadequate blood flow to the heart. These cardioprotective properties are further indentified in relation to the protective properties of the proanthcyandins (PAs), since they help protect the cardiac tissue and DNA fragmentation [4].
There have been no cases reported or evidence to demonstrate that grape-seed extract has been linked with mutagenicity or toxicity levels and is safe to be taken orally. This safety evaluation has been projected to other plant products that contain high levels of proanthocyandins [3]. Antioxidant properties are expanding more and more in the health market and it is becoming more difficult to sweep through what truly acts as a barrier in our body or hear say from the news and media.
Sources:
- Sun AY, Wang Q, Simonyi A, Sun GY Botanical phenolics and brain health. Neuromolecular Med 2008; 10:259–274
- Nandakumar V, Singh T, Katiyar SK. Multi-targeted prevention and therapy of cancer by proanthocyanidins. Cancer Lett 2008; 269:378–87.
- Yamakoshi J., M. Saito, S. Kataoka and M. Kikuchi, Safety evaluation of proanthocyanidin-rich extract from grape seeds. Food Chem Toxicol 40 (2002), p. 599.
- Demirkaya E., Avci A.,Kesik V., Karslioglu V., Oztas E., Kismet E., Gokcay E., Durak I., and Koseoglu V. Cardioprotective roles of aged garlic extract, grape seed proanthocyanidin, and hazelnut on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2009; 87(8): 633–640.
- Katiyar SK. Grape seed proanthocyanidines and skin cancer prevention: inhibition of oxidative stress and protection of immune system. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2008;52:S71–6.
- Kimura, Y.; Ito, H.; Kawaji, M.; Ikami, T.; Hatano, T.; Characterization and antioxidative properties of oligomeric proanthocyanidin from prunes, dried fruit of Prunus domestica L. Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem., v.72, p.1615-1618, 2008.
