Grape Skin Extract

Grape Skin Extract Benefits

Grape skin extract contains proanthocynidins that are believed to possess one of nature’s most powerful antioxidant capacities. They combat free radicals, unbalanced molecules within the body that adhere to the body’s cells, causing them damage. Some research indicates that grape skin extract’s antioxidant effect may help those exposed to cigarette smoke.

• Phytonutrients within grape skin extract may improve athletic endurance and fight signs of aging. Grape skin extract helps maintain eye health, improving night vision and avoiding eye disorders known to plague older individuals, such as macular degeneration and cataracts.
• Grape skin extract assists blood flow, helping to prevent varicose veins, capillary fragility, venous insufficiency, numbness or tingling of the limbs, and leg cramps.
• Working as an anti-inflammatory, the resveratrol within grape skin extract hinders both chronic and acute stages of inflammatory development. In one study, resveratrol demonstrated potential as an important component of arthritic therapy, as it was shown to protect the cartilage against further advancement of inflammatory arthritis.
• The “French paradox” is attributed partially to grape skin extract. That is, French and other European people typically consume far more fats in their diet than most Americans do, but they are typically healthier and live longer.
• Some physicians point to red wine as the answer to this paradox. The resveratrol, part of grape skin extract, within the wine reduces the risk of heart disease in several ways. These include hindering platelet aggregation, which leads to blood clots and coronary artery disease, and LDL (low-density or “bad” cholesterol) peroxidation.
• Although further research is needed in order to determine the precise effects of resveratrol on the human body, in laboratory experiments, grape skin extract clearly protected the heart from myocardial infarction (heart attack).
• Associated with lower blood sugar, grape skin extract possesses an anti-diabetic effect.  It relieves the common symptoms of diabetes, including weight loss. The resveratrol in grape skin extract has been shown to lower blood sugar levels in Phase IIa and Phase Ib.
• Grape skin extract also resists viral replication. Certain influenza viruses, varicella-zoster virus, human cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus are hindered by the presence of resveratrol in the body.

Studies reveal that grape skin extract- especially red grape skin extract- obstructs some carcinogens. Recent preliminary research indicates that it may hamper the development of breast cancer cells.

Grape Skin Extract Dosage

Fortunately, the nutrients in grape skin extract apparently do survive most processing, including jelly, jam, and fruit canning processes. A small amount can be consumed through these fruit products.

Grape skin extract is found in red wine and grape juice in small concentrations. It can easily be taken through either of these. If you would like to avoid the sugar, alcohol and calories in the wine or juice, consider taking a supplement instead.

Grape skin extract is soluble in water and alcohol, but not in oils or fats. Grape skin extract is typically commercially available as a powder, liquid, or capsule supplement.

The therapeutic range for grape skin extract is believed to range from 200 to 600 milligrams, at 30 percent OPCs (anthocyanins), per day. This guideline is not definitive, however, and you should consult a physician when considering the use of supplemental grape skin extract.

Grape Skin Extract Side Effects

The FDA has declared grape skin extract safe for general use in food, as long as it is used in limited amounts of food when appearing at higher concentrations. Thus far, few side effects of taking grape skin extract as a dietary supplement have emerged in medical studies.

Some consumers of high amounts of commercial resveratrol, however, experience adverse side effects, such as diarrhea. Much of this is merely due to the process by which some resveratrol is gleaned. This resveratrol is from Japanese knotweed, which contains emodin, an ingredient that aggravates the digestive system of some users. If you choose to take resveratrol instead of whole grape skin extract, research the formula and note the process by which it was made.

Much research on the resveratrol in grape skin extract is recent. Therefore, little is known of the long term outcomes of taking resveratrol as a supplement, and caution should, as usual, be exercised when using it in significant amounts.

Is grape skin extract a good excuse to open a bottle of fine Italian wine? To locate other products containing grape skin extract, use the supplement finder now!