Benefits of Grape Seed Extract

There are many claimed benefits of grape seed extract, some of which are more legitimate than others. The supplement is often claimed to be beneficial for preventing cancer, correcting poor night vision, and treating high blood pressure or high cholesterol. At this time, it is not known whether the supplement provide any benefits for children.

Grape Seed Extract Information

Purported Grape Seed Extract Benefits

Grape seed extract is sometimes claimed to be beneficial for several different uses. Some of the claimed benefits of grape seed extract include:

Preventing cancer
Promoting wound healing
Preventing dental cavities (dental caries)
Correcting poor night vision
Treating the following conditions:

Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
High blood pressure (hypertension)
High cholesterol
Poor circulation
Diabetes complications (such as nerve or eye problems)
Macular degeneration
Swelling after an injury or surgery
Cirrhosis of the liver
Hay fever or other similar allergies.

Some of these claimed uses are more legitimate than others, although much more research is necessary to confirm that grape seed extract is truly effective for any use (see Does Grape Seed Extract Work?).

How Does Grape Seed Extract Work?

Grape seed extract contains a variety of different compounds that may have medicinal activity. Many of these compounds seem to have antioxidant properties, protecting cells from free radicals (damaging molecules or atoms that can start a chain reaction of cellular damage). Free radicals play a role in various age-related conditions, such as cancer and heart disease. There may be other currently unknown ways that grape seed extract works for various uses.

(Benefits of Grape Seed Extract Continued: Page 2)