Markets today include a wide variety of grapes. The most popular variety is the seedless grape. However, choosing seedless means missing out on a very important type of phytochemical in grape seed: oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), which can help in maintaining eye health.
The grape plant is a perennial and deciduous woody vine. The fruit of the grape plant is the most commonly eaten part of the plant. Grape seeds, which are usually discarded, contain important nutritional value. They contain OPCs that are reported to be up to 20 times more powerful than vitamin C and up to 50 times stronger than vitamin E. Moreover, the amount of OPCs in grape seed far exceeds that in the fruit.
Inhibit Oxidative DNA Damage
A study compared grape seed extract and vitamin C’s respective abilities to reduce oxidative DNA damage over time. Cells incubated with grape seed extract showed a significant 62% reduction in oxidative DNA damage. In comparison, vitamin C did not provide any significant reduction of single-strand DNA breaks. The results indicate that grape seed extract protects cells from oxidative DNA damage, which may mean improved inner health.
Oxidation is one of the main causes of various diseases. The OPCs in grape seed can help to enhance DNA’s ability to repair itself. They effectively defend against free radicals to protect the body against oxidative damage and improve blood circulation by strengthening blood vessels. This aids in the prevention of conditions and diseases like allergies, ulcers, varicose veins, cataracts, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cancer, as well as slowing down the body’s aging process.
Protects Vision
The OPCs found in grape seed may help to slow down the progress of diabetic retinopathy by strengthening blood vessels and improving blood circulation in the eyes.
In a controlled trial, the progression of retinopathy stalled in 60% of diabetics taking a daily dose of 150 mg of OPCs from grape seed extract. Only 47% of those taking a placebo had a similar halt in retinopathy progression. OPCs in grape seed have superior antioxidant capabilities that protect against the damaging effects of oxidative stress and cataract formation.
Speeds up Wound Healing
Studies show that grape seed extract helps wounds heal faster and with less scarring. Scientists have found that, when applied to wounds, grape seed extract can help the body clear disease-causing bacteria and produce more of a compound involved in regenerating damaged blood vessels with faster blood vessel growth, more nutrient-containing blood flow can help to regenerate damaged tissue, speeding up wound healing.
Promotes Youthful, Radiant Skin
Scientific studies show that the OPCs in grape seed are high in antioxidant activity and easily absorbed by the human body. In addition, grape seed extract can support collagen structures and decrease UV damage to skin, thereby preventing premature wrinkles and reducing signs of aging for a youthful, radiant appearance.
If you’re trying to inhibit oxidative DNA damage, protect vision, speed up wound healing, or promote youthful skin, you may check out the Nuewee Organic Blackcurrant Protein with Astaxanthin which contains grape seeds.
