Grape Seed Extract
Vitis vinifera
also known as grape seed
Moderate
A concentrated extract from the seeds left over after winemaking, rich in a family of antioxidants called proanthocyanidins. Best evidence is for blood vessel support and circulation — particularly leg circulation and the visible signs of poor venous return.
- Eases symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency — heavy legs, swelling, visible veins
- Strengthens capillary walls and reduces fragility
- Powerful antioxidant action against multiple types of free radicals
- May modestly lower blood pressure
- May help reduce post-exercise muscle soreness
- Often combined with vitamin C, which it appears to recycle and extend
Use caution with blood thinners — grape seed extract has mild anticoagulant action
May lower blood pressure — caution combining with blood pressure medication
Stop two weeks before surgery
Skip during pregnancy and nursing — limited safety data
Generally well tolerated but may cause mild stomach upset or headache in some people
Research
- Synergistic engineering of monoterpenoid synthase and metabolic pathways to enhance α-terpineol production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract suppresses bladder cancer by dual blockade of IMPDH1/2-mediated purine and pyrimidine nucleotide biosynthesis.
- Microbial inoculation shapes local and systemic grapevine microbiota and wine metabolites across ages and managements.
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