The Benefit of Grape Seed Extract

Grape seed extract is classified along with herbs and other botanicals as a form of complementary or alternative medicine. The National Institute of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine are currently conducting studies to evaluate the full benefit of grape seed extract in the treatment and prevention of diseases. Here's what we know.

Unlike many other herbs and botanicals, grape seed extract does not have a long history of traditional use. Health researchers first became interested in grape seed extract in the latter part of the 20th century, after studies concerning what is referred to as the "French Paradox" were released. The French have a relatively low incidence of heart disease (about half of what we see in the United States) despite the fact that the typical French diet consists of many diet "no-no's" for heart health and tobacco use is common. Many scientists believe that the secret to heart health among the French is found in red wine.

Red wine contains oligomeric proanthocyanidins or procyanidins, which are plant antioxidants. You have probably heard of antioxidants. They are found in your daily vitamins. Vitamin C & E are common examples of antioxidants. Procyanidins are less common antioxidants, found in only a few foods, and grape seed extract is considered the best source of procyanidins, better even than the red wine that originated the research. In short, the benefit of grape seed extract is due to the uncommonly powerful antioxidants it contains.