LET’S NOT SPIT THESE MAGICAL SEEDS ANYMORE – PART 2

GRAPE SEEDS – A 6000 YEAR OLD MIRACLE

Grapes (Vitis vinifera) - An all-time favourite fruit of all ages; Present generation either avoids or devoid the seeds of the above fruits in general and even prefer the seedless hybrid varieties, which is of less nutritive value. But before spitting the grape seeds off to the ground, kindly remember this article. The magic of good health lies calm in these seeds. Let’s cruise a short view on these seeds and their benefits.

Grapes have been heralded for their medicinal and nutritional value for thousands of years. Egyptians ate grapes at least 6,000 years ago, and several ancient Greek philosophers praised the healing power of grapes. Round, ripe, sweet grapes were used to treat a range of health problems including cancer, cholera, smallpox, nausea, eye infections, and skin, kidney, and liver diseases.

Grape seeds contains oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs), have been touted as powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that destroy free radicals, which are harmful compounds in the body that damage DNA (genetic material) and even cause cell death. Scientists believe free radicals contribute to aging, as well as the development of a number of health problems, including heart disease and cancer. There is good evidence that grape seed extract can help treat chronic venous insufficiency and edema.

Vitamin E, flavonoids and linoleic acid are also highly concentrated in grape seeds. Lower concentrations of these compounds are also available in the skin of the grape, as well as grape juice and wine. Resveratrol is another compound in grapes and grape skins that is related to OPCs. Resveratrol has become very popular as an antioxidant and is being studied in connection with a variety of diseases.

  

Resveratrol is arguably the most well-known therapeutic substance found in grapes, a natural outcome of everything that science has uncovered over the years about its incredible anti-aging potential. A fat-soluble polyphenolic compound, resveratrol’s claim to fame centers around is prominence in longevity research. Many a study has shown its effectiveness at preventing and treating a wide range of age-related health conditions. Things like heart disease, type-2 diabetes, cognitive decline, and even cancer.

The strong antioxidant effects of resveratrol make it an ideal nutritional supplement for combating the oxidative stress brought about by free radical damage. Resveratrol essentially neutralizes free radicals throughout the body, preventing them from stoking the types of inflammatory responses that end up leading to chronic, and potentially terminal, health conditions like coronary heart disease, strokes, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer.

Grape seed extract has also been shown to protect against bacterial infections, such as Staphylococcus aureus. Grape seed extract also contains high levels of compounds (procyanidin dimers) that act as aromatase inhibitors. This is likely another way grape seeds may help prevent and treat cancer, specifically hormone-dependent breast cancer. Aromatase, an enzyme, converts androgen to estrogen and is expressed at higher levels in breast cancer tissues than normal tissues. Many types of breast cancer are fueled by estrogen, which is why some chemotherapy drugs work by inhibiting the activity of aromatase. Grape seed extract may exert similar effects naturally. It that, biologically speaking, support life in a number of important ways.

Chronic venous insufficiency: In chronic venous insufficiency, blood pools in the legs, causing pain, swelling, fatigue, and visible veins. A number of high quality studies have shown that OPCs from grape seed can reduce symptoms.

Edema: Edema, swelling caused by surgery or an injury, seems to go away faster when people take grape seed extract. Edema is common after breast cancer surgery, and one double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that breast cancer patients who took 600 mg of grape seed extract daily after surgery for 6 months had less edema and pain than those who took placebo. Another study found that people who took grape seed extract after experiencing a sports injury had less swelling than those who took placebo.

High cholesterol: The combination of grape seed extract and chromium was more effective than either grape seed alone or placebo in lowering total and LDL cholesterol.

High blood pressure: Theoretically, grape seed extract might help treat hypertension or high blood pressure. Antioxidants, like the ones found in grape seed, help protect blood vessels from damage. Damaged blood vessels can lead to higher blood pressure. In several animal studies, grape seed extract substantially reduced blood pressure. More research is needed to determine whether grape seed extract helps people with high blood pressure.

Cancer: Studies have found that grape seed extracts may prevent the growth of breast, stomach, colon, prostate, and lung cancer cells in test tubes. However, there is no clear evidence whether it works in humans. Antioxidants, such as those found in grape seed extract, may help reduce the risk of developing cancer. Grape seed extract may also help prevent damage to human liver cells caused by chemotherapy medications. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before combining antioxidants with any chemotherapy drugs to make sure they interact safely together, and that they do not interfere with effects of the chemotherapy medications.

Bone Strength: Grape seed extract has been shown to improve bone formation and bone strength in animal studies.

Cognitive Decline: Animal studies suggest grape seed extract may reverse hippocampal dysfunction in the brain by reducing oxidative stress and preserving mitochondrial function. Grape seed extract may even be useful as a preventative or therapeutic agent in Alzheimer's disease.

Oral Health: Grape seed extract solution led to less demineralization and more remineralization of cavities in one lab study. Since remineralization is an effective treatment that may stop or reverse early tooth decay, grape seed extract could play a beneficial role in oral health.

Diabetes: Grape seed extract administered along with exercise training improved lipid profile, weight loss, blood pressure and other diabetic complications better than either intervention administered alone.

Studies suggest that grape seed extract may help:

• Strengthen bones and improve bone formation
• Improving night vision
• Support oral health by protecting teeth against decay and remineralizing cavities
• Normalize blood pressure by dilating blood vessels and guarding against oxidative damage
• Improve circulation, thus preventing conditions like chronic venous insufficiency and edema
• Helps to Treat Alzheimer disease
• Protecting collagen and elastin in skin (anti-aging)
• Treating hemorrhoids
• Protecting against oxidative rancidity and bacterial pathogens
• Boost brain function and protect against cognitive brain conditions like Alzheimer’s
• Prevent diabetes and blood sugar disorders by normalizing metabolic function
• Reduce the likelihood of hemorrhoids, varicose veins, and other conditions symptomatic of poor circulation

To truly benefit from the benefits of resveratrol and OPC takes more than just eating a handful of grapes (or drinking a glass of wine). The reality is that you’d have to eat massive quantities of whole grapes and whole grape seeds in order to obtain the therapeutic doses of resveratrol and OPC you’d need to achieve the above types of health benefits. Hope let’s not spit these magical seeds anymore.