Grape Seed

HABITAT

Vitis vinifera is native to the Mediterranean region, Central Europe, and southwestern Asia. It is a deciduous Climber growing to 15 m (49ft 3in) at a fast rate. Grapes are best planted in early spring and do well in most soil as long as it is well-drained.

INTRODUCTION

Application of nutraceuticals from grape seeds in human health is not new, because wine has been used for medicinal purposes since the medieval period like Egyptians ate grapes at least 6,000 years ago, and several ancient Greek philosophers praised the healing power of grapes, usually in the form of wine. For instance, ethanol in “alcoholic” beverages has potential application in human health due to its properties in inhibition of platelet aggregation, eicosanoid biosynthesis, and an antioxidant for free radicals.

BENEFITS

Supports Brain Health: The phenolic compounds in grape seed extract, especially flavonoids like oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs), catechin, epicatechin, procyanidins, gallic acid, and gallocatechin, help to improve your memory and overall brain health. They're also useful for blocking or reducing the development of proteins that lead to Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia.

Ayurvedic View: Grapes might be beneficial in the management of age-related mental decline. Aging is associated with the increase in the number of free radicals and leads to the degeneration of neurons. The phenolic compounds in Grapes improve the brain function. Grapes have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the damage caused by free radicals.

Improves Cardiovascular Health: Antioxidants in grape seed help you maintain healthy blood pressure and improve your circulation. They help to improve blood flow and strengthen your blood vessels, especially the vessels experiencing chronic venous insufficiency or varicose veins. This is due to its potent antioxidant activity. It also increases the level of nitric oxide and helps in relaxation of blood vessels. This helps control high blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart diseases.

Good for Urinary Problems: Grapes are good for urinary problems like cystitis and pain during urination. Grapes act as diuretics thus, help to increase the frequency and volume of urine. Grapes also soothe the bladder lining.

Ayurvedic View: Grapes are good for urinary problems like burning sensation and pain during urination. This is because of its Sita (cold) property which gives relief in burning sensation during urination. It also increases urine flow due to its Mutral (diuretic) nature.

Controls Cholesterol: Grape seed tannins might be beneficial in managing high cholesterol. Grape seed reduces the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine and increases bile excretion.

Improves Fertility: Grapes are good for increasing fertility in both men and women. In males, Grapes might help improve the sperm count, sperm movement and sperm quality. It can also be used to improve conditions of erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. In females, Grapes helps strengthen the reproductive system

Ayurvedic View: Grapes helps to maintain sexual wellness in male and female because of its Vrushya (improves vigor) property.

Manages Metabolic Syndrome: Polyphenols in Grapes have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. It is also known to reduce obesity and type 2 diabetes associated with metabolic syndrome. Grape powder increases glucose tolerance and reduces inflammation markers present in the fat cells.

MECHANISM OF ACTION

Grape seeds are among the best sources of powerful antioxidants, proanthocyanidins, which build oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs) with unique antioxidant properties. Phenolic acids and flavonoids from grape seeds also combat oxidative damage. Presence of antioxidant property of Grape seed has shown to exert a much stronger oxygen free radical-scavenging effect. Compounds those are having antioxidant properties able to protect the cells against oxidative stress. The antioxidant property of proanthocyanidin is because of the availability of the phenolic hydrogens as singlet oxygen quenchers and hydrogen donating radical scavengers. It can then act as an inflammatory reaction regulator (related to the oxidative stress), hence, controlling the oxidative stress. The use of grape seed decreases the oxidative stress and helps in the reduction of anti-inflammation.

CLINICAL STUDIES & REFERENCES

Gargari BH, Abedini S, Babaei H, et al. Effect of supplementation with grape seed (Vitis vinifera) extract on antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in patient with type II diabetes. J Med Plant Res. 2011;5(10):2029–2034.
Cetin A, Kaynar L, Koçyiğit I, et al. The effect of grape seed extract on radiation-induced oxidative stress in the rat liver. Turk J Gastroenterol. 2008;19(2):92–98.
Caimari A, Del Bas JM, Crescenti A, et al. Low doses of grape seed procyanidins reduce adiposity and improve the plasma lipid profile in hamsters. Int J Obes. 2013;37(4):576–583.
Bagchi M, Milnes M, Williams C, et al. Acute and chronic stress-induced oxidative gastrointestinal injury in rats, and the protective ability of a novel grape seed proanthocyanidin extract. Nutr Res. 1999;19(8):1189–1199. doi: 10.1016/S0271-5317(99)00080-9.
Balu M, Sangeetha P, Murali G, et al. Modulatory role of grape seed extract on age-related oxidative DNA damage in central nervous system of rats. Brain Res Bull. 2006;68(6):469–473. doi: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2005.10. 007.