Grape Seed Extract
Background
Since
ancient Greece people have used grapes, grape leaves, and sap for
health purposes. Grape seed extract was developed in the 1970s.
Today,
grape seed extract is used as a dietary supplement for various
conditions, including for venous insufficiency (when veins have
problems sending blood from the legs back to the heart), to promote
wound healing, and to reduce inflammation.
Grape seed extract
contains the antioxidant compound oligomeric proanthocyanidin (OPC),
which has been studied for a variety of health conditions.
OPCs
are found in extracts of grape skin and seeds, which are by-products of
the wine industry. Grape seed extract is available in capsules and
tablets and as a liquid.
How Much Do We Know?
There are a few well-controlled studies of people using grape seed
extract for health conditions.
What Have We Learned?
Some
studies suggest that compounds in grape seed extract may reduce edema
(swelling) and help with symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency, but
the evidence isn’t strong.
Grape seed extract may have some
heart benefits, including lowering systolic blood pressure and heart
rate. The lower heart rate may cause the decrease in systolic blood
pressure. The extract had no effect on lipid levels such as cholesterol
or C-reactive protein, an indication of inflammation in
your arteries.
The National Center for Complementary and
Integrative Health (NCCIH) is supporting preliminary research on grape
seed extract for Alzheimer’s disease and also for hereditary
hemochromatosis, when the body’s iron levels are too high. The National
Cancer Institute is supporting preliminary studies on grape seed
extract for preventing prostate, lung, and colon cancer.
What Do We Know About Safety?
Grape
seed extract is generally well tolerated when taken in moderate
amounts. It has been tested safely for up to 14 weeks in studies of
people. It’s possibly unsafe if you have a bleeding disorder or are
going to have surgery or if you take anticoagulants (blood thinners),
such as warfarin or aspirin.
Keep in Mind
Tell all
your health care providers about any complementary or integrative
health approaches you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to
manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and
safe care.
Key References
- Clouatre
DL, Kandaswami C, Connolly KM. Grape seed extract. In: Coates PM, Betz
JM, Blackman MR, et al., eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary
Supplements. 2nd
ed. New York, NY: Informa Healthcare; 2010:391-401.
- Feringa
HH, Laskey DA, Dickson JE, et al. The
effect of grape seed extract on cardiovascular risk markers: a
meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Journal of the American Dietetic
Association. 2011;111(8):1173-1181.
- Fine
AM. Oligomeric
proanthocyanidin complexes: history, structure, and phytopharmaceutical
applications. Alternative Medicine Review. 2000;5(2):144-151.
- Grape.
Natural Medicines Web site. Accessed at
naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/ on April 10, 2015.
[Database subscription].
- Kar
P, Laight D, Rooprait HK, et al. Effects
of grape seed extract in type 2 diabetic subjects at high
cardiovascular risk: a double blind randomized placebo controlled trial
examining metabolic markers, vascular tone, inflammation, oxidative
stress and insulin sensitivity. Diabetic Medicine. 2009;26(5):526-531.
-NIH
