As one of the most widely cultivated fruits in the world today, chances are pretty good that you’ve consumed grapes. If you’ve eaten raisins, had a PB&J with grape jelly, or a glass of grape juice or wine, then you’ve enjoyed some of the virtues of this versatile fruit. Grapes, however, have so much more to offer than a delicious snack or beverage, and the compounds that reside inside grape seeds have a wide range of health benefits that can support your wellbeing on the deepest levels.
History
Although, grapes have been enjoyed as a food, and for wine, since ancient Greek and Roman times, research on the bioactive components of grape seeds only started in the beginning of the 20th century. It was during that time when nutritional scientists isolated and identified the compounds we came to define as vitamins, and they discovered a host of other phytochemical compounds along the way.
Grape Gold
The secret behind grapes is linked to a class of plant compounds called polyphenols, more specifically to those inside grapes’ seeds and skins called proanthocyanidins. It’s these antioxidant-rich compounds that give them their color and astringent taste, and grapes contain literally dozens of powerful antioxidants such as phenolic acids, anthocyanins, flavonoids, and oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs).
What is Grape Seed Extract?
Grape seed extract is a derivative of grape seeds that condenses all of their health supporting goodies into a concentrated dietary supplement. The many health benefits of grape seed extract have been studied extensively through scientific research all over the world with new research coming out all the time.
Grape Seed Benefits
Because of their high concentration of antioxidants, grape seeds—specifically, grape seed extract has a variety of benefits that help support a healthy lifestyle. The benefits of grape seed extract include:
- Provides antioxidant support for healthy aging
- Helps uphold healthy blood pressure & cholesterol levels already within a normal range
- Nourishes healthy eyes & radiant skin
- Delivers powerful support for a healthy cardiovascular system
- Protects healthy cognitive function & focus
- Helps maintain healthy cells and DNA
- Supports a healthy immune response
Let’s dive into these benefits in a little more detail to find out exactly how grape seed extract helps support healthy functions in the body.
Antioxidant Support
Antioxidants, sometimes called “free radical scavengers,” are compounds whose whole job is fighting free radicals that arise from everyday metabolism, the environment, or our healthy immune defense. Since free radicals can cause oxidative stress to your cells, proteins, and your DNA, the antioxidants in grape seed extract provide across-the-board support for a healthy heart, brain, eyes, skin, blood vessels, and overall healthy aging.
Maintains Healthy Blood Pressure & Cholesterol Levels
Numerous studies have investigated the benefits of grape seed extract for the cardiovascular system with very promising evidence. The research suggests that it helps maintain healthy blood pressure already within a normal range, supports healthy circulation, and promotes optimal lipid metabolism to uphold vascular health.
Promotes Healthy Cognitive Function
The synergistic effects of grape seed extract’s antioxidant properties paired with its support for the immune system help nourish a healthy brain as we age. Since no one can stop the hands of time, grape vitality is an excellent way to help you stay sharp and focused throughout life.
Healthy Eyes & Radiant Skin
Another way that the powerful proanthocyanidins in grape seed extract encourage healthy agingis by keeping your skin healthy and luminous from the inside out. Grape’s famous oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs) have been shown to support optimal night vision, and to help preserve healthy retinal and macular functions.
How to Choose Grape Seed Extract?
Since conventionally grown grapes are notorious for carrying pesticide & fungicide residues, it’s important to search for a certified organic grape seed extract. It’s also optimal to find a fully standardized extract that concentrates and quantifies the proanthocyanidins that are responsible for so many of grape seed extract’s health benefits. Without standardization, you can’t know the strength (or weakness) of what you’re buying.
SuperPure® Grape Seed Extract is certified organic and is made with no chemical solvents or additives whatsoever, plus it’s highly concentrated to 300 mg of proanthocyanidins and OPCs per capsule. Altogether, the whole spectrum of active polyphenols is extracted, condensed, and standardized so that you get the full benefit of the whole symphony of grape’s exclusive antioxidants. With all that this master multitasker has to offer, why not start cheering the benefits of grape seed extract today?
