Grape Seed Extract Safety: An Overview
Grape seed extract is a popular
dietary supplement, claimed to be beneficial for a variety of different uses. You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking it if you:
- Have a bleeding disorder
- Have any chronic or severe medical condition
- Have any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives
- Are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
- Are breastfeeding.
You should also be sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Specific Grape Seed Extract Warnings and Precautions
Warnings and precautions to be aware of concerning the safety of grape seed extract include the following:
- Theoretically, grape seed extract could increase the risk of bleeding, including dangerous internal bleeding. This risk is probably most significant for people with a bleeding disorder or who take "blood thinner" medications (see Grape Seed Extract Drug Interactions).
- As dietary supplements or food products, grape seed extract products are not as closely regulated as prescription and non-prescription drugs. They can be marketed without any proof that they are either safe or effective. Do not assume that just because a product is sold or advertised in the United States that it is automatically safe or effective. Be sure to look for grape seed extract products from a reputable manufacturer. Your pharmacist is a good resource for information about which manufacturers are most reputable.
- If you have a chronic or severe medical condition, it is always a good idea to check with your healthcare provider before taking any medication or supplement, including grape seed extract.
- It is not clear if grape seed extract is safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women (see Grape Seed Extract and Pregnancy and Grape Seed Extract and Breastfeeding).
