We were talking earlier this week about grape seed oil. I found this article that I thought might be very interesting to those of you who juice or do smoothies. I was told that you can just put the whole grape in the high powered blender like a Vita-Mix and get all the benefits. Read on...
Jan in Florida
Jan in Florida
Grape seeds pack a healthy 'punch' of proanthocyanidins
Grapes. There's more to them than meets the eye. As a fruit, they are chock-full of flavor and nutrition, but most of us spit out the part of the grape that may be the most valuable to our health: the seeds.
Grape seeds have an abundant source of flavonoids, a large class of compounds found naturally in many plants and foods. More specifically, grape seeds are brimming over with a class of flavonoids called proanthocyanidins. Researchers in white lab coats have had lots of good things to say about proanthocyanidins over the past several decades, but only recentIy has the good news reached a broad range of people. But now that the word is out, grape seed extract (and the powerful proanthocyanidins it contains) has quickly become a welcome addition to the antioxidant arsenal.
Move over vitamin Eithere's a new antioxidant in town
Free radicals, the chemical marauders that lurk in air pollution, tobacco smoke, rancid fats, and are even produced by the body during normal metabolism, have been linked to over 60 different degenerative diseases. Clearly, antioxidants--which neutralize free radicals before they can irreparably harm the body--play an important role in preserving health.
So far, the research documenting the antioxidant capability of grape seed extract is impressive. In one study, an extract from grape seed was compared to the "gold standard" of antioxidants: vitamin E. Grape seed extract came through with flying colors. In fact, in some circumstances, the antioxidant potential of grape seed extract surpassed that of vitamin E.
Perhaps even more important than its sheer power as an antioxidant is how grape seed extract interacts with other components of the body's antioxidant defenses. The proanthocyanidins found in grape seed extract help other antioxidants regenerate after neutralizing free radicals, allowing them to continue the antioxidative fight.
Also, since proanthocyanidins are water-soluble, they are easily absorbed by the body and transported throughout the bloodstream. Proanthocyanidins are even able to cross the blood-brain barrier in order to protect delicate brain and nerve tissues.
Spectacular seeds for cancer prevention, smooth skin, and more
Because of their antioxidative capabilities, proanthocyanidins may protect the body from cancer. Support for this is found in France, where a majority of the population traditionally consumes a high-fat diet and drinks an abundance of red wine. Despite a high intake of fatty foods, the French have a surprisingly low risk for many diseases that would be expected to result from such a diet. This may be attributed to the high intake of flavonoids via the red wine, which neutralize free radicals before they can cause genetic mutations and cancerous changes to cells.
Edema, the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the body's tissues, often results from capillary malfunctions. Proanthocyanidins extracted from grape seeds may help prevent edema by stabilizing the capillary walls and preventing abnormal capillary permeability. These compounds may be beneficial in the prevention of high blood pressure, heart disease, and even provide relief from fibrocystic breast disease. The anti-edema properties of proanthocyanidins may also be very useful in combating some symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.
Grape seed extracts may also help alleviate symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency. A double-blind study of 50 patients with this circulatory disorder found that grape seed extract quickly and effectively resolved their symptoms. In related functions, proanthocyanidins may help treat varicose veins, Proanthocyanidins also protect the skin's collagen and elastin from free radicals which would otherwise degrade them and rob the skin of its smoothness and elasticity.
It seems clear that this extract is an excellent complement to any lifestyle. Grape seed extract boosts the body's antioxidative defenses and disease-fighting potential to help support a long and healthy life.
REFERENCES
Maffei, F., et al. "Free Radical Scavenging Action and Antienzyme Activities of Proanthocyanidins from Vitis uinifera. A Mechanism for Their Capillary Protective Action," Arzneimiael-Forschung 44:592-601, May 1994.
Zafirov, D., et al. "Antiexodative and Capillaritonic Elfects of Proanthocyanidins Isolated Irom Grape Seeds (V.vinifera)," Acta Physiologica et Pharmacologica Bulgarica 16(3):50-54, 1990.
COPYRIGHT 1997 PRIMEDIA Intertec, a PRIMEDIA Company. All Rights Reserved.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group
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