Grape Seed Extract For Weight Loss

Grape seed extract for weight loss is a technique in which you use a special product to reduce your body fat. The product used is extracted from grapes and it is sold as natural weight loss products or ingredients. Grape seed extract is a type of nutritional supplement that is said to assist in the reduction of body weight. Grape seed extract does this through inhibiting enzymes called lipases,

which are responsible for breaking down fat in the body. The inhibition of the enzymes that break down fat results in an increase in fat mobilization from the adipose tissue, which improves metabolism and can lead to weight loss Grape Seed Extract has also been used to aid in treating Psoriasis, cholesterol and blood pressure. Combined with Gingko Biloba extract and Vitamin E,

Grape seed has been known to help people with Diabetes. There are numerous health benefits of grape seed extract. The wide range of individual responses to GSE means it should not be considered a single cure for any condition. Studies have shown promise in the use of extraction of the bioflavonoids in grape seed as a natural alternative to chemotherapy and as a treatment for high blood pressure, vomiting, kidney disease, inflammation, gout and heart disease.

Grape Seed Extract For Weight Loss

You’ve seen the infomercials for grape seed extract for weight loss – if you haven’t, you’ve at least heard someone in some circle mention it. But what exactly is grape seed extract and is it really effective for weight loss? There are dozens and dozens of pills, supplements, and products on the graphite market that promise to help you lose weight. While some of them may be effective at helping with weight loss, there is always a possibility that they could cause unwanted side effects. Here, I will examine grape seed extract for weight loss in more detail.

Grape seed extract (GSE) is a dietary supplement made by removing, drying, and pulverizing the bitter-tasting seeds of grapes.

Grape seeds are rich in antioxidants, including phenolic acids, anthocyanins, flavonoids, and oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs).

In fact, GSE is one of the best-known sources of proanthocyanidins

Due to its high antioxidant content, GSE can help prevent disease and protect against oxidative stress, tissue damage, and inflammation

Note that grape seed extract and grapefruit seed extract are both marketed as supplements and abbreviated by the acronym GSE. This article discusses grape seed extract.

Here are health benefits of grape seed extract, all based on science.

1. Can reduce blood pressure

Several studies have researched the effects of GSE on high blood pressure.

A review of 16 studies in 810 people with high blood pressure or an elevated risk of it found that taking 100–2,000 mg of GSE daily significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure (the top and bottom number) by an average of 6.08 mmHg and 2.8 mmHg, respectively.

Those under the age of 50 with obesity or a metabolic disorder showed the greatest improvements.

The most promising results came from lower doses of 100–800 mg daily for 8–16 weeks, rather than a single dose of 800 mg or more (4Trusted Source).

Another study in 29 adults with high blood pressure found that taking 300 mg of GSE daily lowered systolic blood pressure by 5.6% and diastolic blood pressure by 4.7% after 6 weeks

SUMMARYGSE may help reduce blood pressure, particularly in young to middle-aged people and those who have excess weight.

2. Can improve blood flow

Some studies suggest that GSE may improve blood flow.

In an 8-week study in 17 healthy postmenopausal women, taking 400 mg of GSE had blood-thinning effects, potentially reducing the risk of blood clots

An additional study in 8 healthy young women assessed the effects of a single 400-mg dose of proanthocyanidin from GSE immediately followed by 6 hours of sitting. It was shown to reduce leg swelling and edema by 70%, compared with not taking GSE.

In the same study, 8 other healthy young women who took a daily 133-mg dose of proanthocyanidins from GSE for 14 days experienced 40% less leg swelling after 6 hours of sitting

SUMMARYGSE has been shown to improve blood flow and reduce the risk of blood clotting, which may benefit those with circulatory problems.

3. Could reduce oxidative damage

An elevated blood level of LDL (bad) cholesterol is a known risk factor for heart disease.

The oxidation of LDL cholesterol significantly increases this risk and plays a central role in atherosclerosis, or the buildup of fatty plaque in your arteries.

GSE supplements have been found to reduce LDL oxidation triggered by high fat diets in several animal studies

Some research in humans shows similar results

When 8 healthy people ate a high fat meal, taking 300 mg of GSE inhibited the oxidation of fats in the blood, compared with a 150% increase seen in those who did not take GSE

In another study, 61 healthy adults saw a 13.9% reduction in oxidized LDL after taking 400 mg of GSE. However, a similar study was unable to replicate these results

Additionally, a study in 87 people undergoing heart surgery found that taking 400 mg of GSE the day before surgery significantly reduced oxidative stress. Therefore, GSE likely protected against further heart damage

SUMMARYGSE may help reduce your risk of heart disease by inhibiting the oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol and reducing oxidation to heart tissue during times of stress.

4. May improve collagen levels and bone strength

Increasing flavonoid consumption may improve collagen synthesis and bone formation.

As a rich source of flavonoids, GSE may thus help increase your bone density and strength.

In fact, animal studies have found that adding GSE to either a low calcium, standard, or high calcium diet can increase bone density, mineral content, and bone strength

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that results in severe inflammation and the destruction of bone and joints.

Animal studies have shown that GSE may suppress bone destruction in inflammatory autoimmune arthritis

GSE also significantly reduced pain, bony spurs, and joint damage in osteoarthritic mice, improving collagen levels and reducing cartilage loss

Despite promising results from animal research, human studies are lacking.

SUMMARYAnimal studies show promising results regarding GSE’s ability to help treat arthritic conditions and promote collagen health. However, human-based research is lacking.

5. Supports your brain as it ages

Flavonoids’ combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are thought to delay or reduce the onset of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease

One of the components of GSE is gallic acid, which animal and lab studies have shown can inhibit the formation of fibrils by beta-amyloid peptides

Clusters of beta-amyloid proteins in the brain are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease

Animal studies have found that GSE may prevent memory loss, improve cognitive status and brain antioxidant levels, and reduce brain lesions and amyloid clusters

One 12-week study in 111 healthy older adults found that taking 150 mg of GSE daily improved attention, language, and both immediate and delayed memory

However, human studies on the use of GSE in adults with preexisting memory or cognitive deficits are lacking.

SUMMARYGSE shows potential to inhibit many of the degenerative characteristics of brain and cognitive decline. However, more human studies are needed.

6. Can improve kidney function

Your kidneys are particularly susceptible to oxidative damage, which is often irreversible.

Animal studies have shown that GSE may reduce kidney damage and improve function by reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory damage

In one study, 23 people diagnosed with chronic renal failure were given 2 grams of GSE daily for 6 months and then compared with a placebo group. Urinary protein decreased by 3% and kidney filtration improved by 9%.

This means that the kidneys of those in the test group were much better able to filter urine than the kidneys of those in the placebo group

SUMMARYGSE may offer protection against damage from oxidative stress and inflammation, thus promoting kidney health.

7. Can inhibit infectious growth

GSE displays promising antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Studies have shown that GSE inhibits the growth of common foodborne bacteria, including Campylobacter and E. coli, both of which are often responsible for severe food poisoning and abdominal upset

In lab studies, GSE has been found to inhibit 43 strains of antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria

Candida is a common yeast-like fungus that can sometimes result in candida overgrowth, or thrush. GSE is widely used in traditional medicine as a remedy for candida.

In one study, mice with vaginal candidiasis were given an intravaginal GSE solution every 2 days for 8 days. The infection was inhibited after 5 days and gone after 8

Unfortunately, human studies on GSE’s ability to help treat infections are still lacking.

SUMMARYGSE may inhibit a variety of microbes and offer protection against antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains, foodborne bacterial illnesses, and fungal infections like candida.

Why do people take grape seed extract?

There is evidence that grape seed extract is beneficial for a number of cardiovascular conditions. Grape seed extract may help with a type of poor circulation (chronic venous insufficiency) and high cholesterol. Grape seed extract also reduces swelling caused by injury and helps with eye disease related to diabetes.

Many people are interested in grape seed extract because it contains antioxidants. These are substances that protect cells from damage and may help prevent many diseases. However, it’s still too early to say whether the antioxidant properties of grape seed extract really benefit people. Researchers are studying grape seed extract to see if it might lower the risks of some cancers. For now, the evidence is not clear.

Grape seed extract has been studied for use in many other conditions — ranging from PMS to skin damage to wound healing — but the results have been inconclusive.

How much grape seed extract should you take?

There is no firmly established dose of grape seed extract. Doses of between 100-300 milligrams/day have been used in studies and are prescribed in some European countries. No one knows what the highest safe dose is.

Can you get grape seed extract naturally from foods?

Grape seed extract comes from grapes. There are no other food sources.

What are the risks of taking grape seed extract?

Side effects. Grape seed extract is generally considered safe. Side effects may include headache, itchy scalp, dizziness, and nausea.
Risks. People allergic to grapes should not use grape seed extract. If you have a bleeding disorder or high blood pressure, talk to your doctor before you start using grape seed extract.
Interactions. If you take any medicines regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using grape seed extract. It could interact with drugs like blood thinners, NSAID painkillers (like aspirin, Advil, and Aleve), certain heart medicines, cancer treatments, and others.

Given the lack of evidence about its safety, grape seed extract is not recommended for children or for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Side effects

Common side effects include:

headache
sore throat
dizziness
itchy scalp
stomach ache
nausea

It is important to talk to your doctor before taking grape seed extract as it can affect the way that certain medications are broken down in the liver.

Grape seed extract might also actTrusted Source as an anticoagulant, or blood-thinner. It could increase the risk of bleeding if taken with other blood-thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), or aspirin.

The NCCIH describesTrusted Source grape seed extract as “generally well tolerated when taken in moderate amounts.”

It is available for purchase online, but you should check with a doctor first to make sure it is safe for you to use.

Is is really useful?

The effect of grape seed extract has been investigated for the following:

reducing body weight
lowering lipid levels in the blood
improving insulin sensitivity
drop in diastolic blood pressure

However, the results have shown that it either made no difference or the effect was not significant enough to support its use for these purposes.

Some note that while the procyadins can be powerful in lab experiments, grape seed extract appears to have poor bioavailability, which means the body may not absorb it efficiently enough to make it worth using.

In addition, pregnant women should completely avoid taking grape seed extract supplements.

It may be that grape seed extract can offer multiple health benefits, but more research is needed to confirm this.

Who Should Avoid Grape Seed Extract?

Not everyone can use grape seed extract without having side effects. Grape seed extract has interactions with certain medications, especially blood thinners like warfarin and aspirin.

Anyone who has a bleeding disorder should avoid grape seed extract. If you are going to have surgery in the near future, you should also avoid it in the weeks leading up to surgery.

Those who are taking blood pressure medication should avoid GSE. The increases in blood flow could cause high blood pressure readings. Iron absorption may also be reduced when taking grape seed extract.

Long-term studies have not been done on potential side effects or contraindications of GSE. It is generally considered safe but should be avoided by children and pregnant or breastfeeding women.

If you are allergic to grapes, avoid using GSE. There are some mild side effects noted in some studies, including:

Nausea
Itchy scalp
Dizziness
Headache

Before starting this supplement, be sure to let your doctor know our plans so you know it’s safe to use.

The Bottom Line

Grape seed extract has antioxidant power that reduces cell damage, oxidation, and inflammation in the body. It has properties that are considered antifungal, antibacterial, anti-diabetic, anti-cholesterol, and anti-platelet.

Health Benefits Of Grape Seed Extract

The health benefits of grape seed extract have been used for centuries. The seeds have been found in Egyptian pharoah tombs and are believed to have medicinal properties. The grape seed extract is an extract made from grape seeds. It is believed that this plant medicinal product is a powerful antioxidant and many researchers have been investigating its effects in the conservation of health and in treating numerous diseases.