An extract of grape seeds, rich in proanthocyanidins.
Why it’s used: A polyphenol antioxidant.
Grape seed extract is made from the seeds of wine grapes, Vitis vinifera, usually collected as a by-product of winemaking. The seeds are ground, extracted and dried into a fine reddish-brown powder that is rich in proanthocyanidins, a group of polyphenols also found in red wine, cocoa, apples and berries.
Proanthocyanidins are sometimes called OPCs, short for oligomeric proanthocyanidins. They are one of the reasons red grapes and red wine have attracted so much research interest. Researchers have studied grape seed extract in small trials looking at circulation and blood pressure, but the evidence is still mixed and it has no authorised health claim.
On labels you will see grape seed extract, Vitis vinifera seed extract, OPCs or proanthocyanidins, often with a percentage such as 95% that describes how standardised the extract is. That figure matters more than the headline milligram weight, because extracts with the same weight can contain very different amounts of OPCs.
3 findings behind this ingredient. Hover a card for the detail and the source.
A meta-analysis of 19 controlled trials found significant decreases in malondialdehyde, oxidised LDL and hs-CRP, with a marginal rise in total antioxidant capacity.
16 trials with 810 participants were pooled. Systolic pressure fell by about 6 mmHg and diastolic by about 2.8 mmHg, with larger effects in younger or overweight people.
A meta-analysis of 19 trials found diastolic pressure fell by 2.2 mmHg and heart rate by 1.25 beats per minute; systolic pressure and flow-mediated dilation did not change significantly.
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It is made from the seeds of wine grapes, usually left over after winemaking. The seeds are extracted to concentrate proanthocyanidins, the polyphenols that give grape seeds their astringent taste. The same family of compounds is found in red wine, cocoa and apples.
It describes how standardised the extract is, meaning roughly 95% of it is made up of proanthocyanidins or polyphenols as measured by the maker's chosen test. It helps compare products, because two extracts of the same weight can contain very different amounts of active compounds.
Speak to your GP or pharmacist first. Grape seed extract may have a mild effect on bleeding, so caution is advised with warfarin, antiplatelet medicines and before surgery. The real-world significance is not firmly established, which is why a personal check is sensible.
Information only, not medical advice. If you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, speak to your GP or pharmacist first.
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