Grape Seed - Natural Health News

What is Grape Seed?

Grape Seed are a very ancient food that mankind has been enjoying and deriving benefit from for thousands of years. Grapes are an immensely popular fruit, not just because of their taste or nutritional properties but also because of the wine that is produced from them. Greek philosophers praised the healing benefits of the wine produced from grapes. It is only recently that scientific evidence has shown that the Greek philosophers might have been on to something. Wine indeed is very beneficial for health as it contains many of the same nutrients present in grapes. These nutrients, such as oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs) have powerful antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are substances that neutralize free radicals – particles that damage the DNA and cells. Studies have shown that the extract of grape seeds substantially increases antioxidant levels in the blood.

In ancient times grapes were used to treat a wide variety of condition. Ointments from the sap of grapevines were made to treat skin and eye diseases. Grape leaves were used to stop bleeding, inflammation, and pain. Unripe grapes were used for relief of sore throats, and dried grapes (raisins) were used for constipation and thirst. Ripe grapes were used to treat many problems including cancer, cholera, smallpox, nausea, eye infections, and skin, kidney, and liver diseases.These days standardized extracts of grape seed are used to help with a range of health problems related to free radical damage.

Benefits of Grape Seed

It protects the body against bacterial infections, such as Staphylococcus aureus
It protects the heart by lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol
It reduce the symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency, such aspooling of blood in the legs, pain, swelling, fatigue, and visible veins
Edema
It reduces the swelling and pain caused by edema and pain than those who took placebo
It protects the blood vessels from damage
It reduces blood pressure
It is thought that grape seed extracts may prevent the growth of breast, stomach, colon, prostate, and lung cancer cells
It might help with Alzheimer’s disease
It might improve blood sugar control
It can help improve night vision
It protects collagen and elastin in skin thereby promoting a youthful appearance
It might be helpful in treating hemorrhoids
It protects against oxidative rancidity and bacterial pathogens