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Health Benefits Of Grape Seed Extract

Healthy Living With Type 1 Diabetes Health Benefits Of Grape Seed ExtractGrape seeds contain incredibly powerful antioxidants that have a wide range of benefits to our health. But, we wouldn’t get very far by just crunching the few seeds we find in grapes! Instead, grape seeds are collected from wine manufacturers, who separate the seeds from the fruit when they are harvested. Then the grape seeds are made into highly concentrated capsules that contain a powerful dosage of the antioxidant. There are numerous health benefits associated with grape seed extract, lets take a look at a few!

Grape Seed And Hypertension:

Theoretically, grape seed extract might help treat hypertension or high blood pressure. Antioxidants, like the ones found in grape seed, help protect blood vessels from damage. Damaged blood vessels can lead to higher blood pressure. In a 2009 study of subjects with metabolic syndrome, researchers found that four weeks of treatment with grape seed extract lowered both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. There is some evidence that grape seed extract supplements may help lower blood pressure.

According to a University of California Davis School of Medicine research study, participants taking grape seed extract experienced significant drops in their blood pressure, with an average 12 mm decrease in systolic and 9 mm decrease in diastolic pressure. While this may be because grape seed’s antioxidants protect blood vessels from damage, more research is needed to fully understand grape seed extract’s effect on hypertension.

Grape Seed Extract And Cancer:

Many studies have shown the benefits of grape seed extract on slowing cancer growth and initiating cancer cell death. Researchers at the University of Kentucky found that the antioxidants in grape seed extract triggered the death of 76% of exposed leukemia cells by turning on a protein known as “JNK” that regulates cancer cell pathways.

Other studies have shown that grape seed extracts help the liver to detoxify from radiation induced poisons and chemotherapy. In addition, they help the liver to detoxify bad estrogenic molecules. By helping the body eliminate these toxic substances, grape seed helps reduce the growth of breast, stomach, colon, prostate and lung cancer cells.

Grape Seed And Edema:

Edema, the swelling caused by surgery or an injury appears to go away faster when people take grape seed extract. Edema is common after breast cancer surgery, and one double blind, placebo controlled study found that breast cancer patients who took 600 mg of grape seed extract daily after surgery for 6 months had less edema and pain than those who took placebo. Another study found that people who took grape seed after experiencing a sports injury had less swelling than those who took placebo.

Grape Seed Side EffectsHealthy Living With Type 1 Diabetes Health Benefits Of Grape Seed Extract

Grape seed extract is generally not associated with side effects, according to the UMHS, and excess is removed through urine. The most likely side effects include headache, dizziness, nausea and a dry, itchy scalp, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Grape seed extract may have blood-thinning properties, which could increase the risk of bleeding if taken with blood thinning medications.

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Thanks for Reading!

Chris

Chris - The Organic Diabetic

As a type 1 diabetic, I made the switch to an organic lifestyle several years ago after being diagnosed with Diabetes in 2006. Living with diabetes is hard enough, why make it more difficult by consuming products with chemicals, toxins and other harmful, unhealthy ingredients. To me, the choice was easy and just made sense. We hope you enjoy our blog! Feel free to look around and check out all of our products by clicking through the tabs above! Thanks for stopping by and also please be sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter by liking our pages below! You never know what freebies we will be giving away!! Don't forget to check out the website as well at www.theorganicdiabetic.org

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