Grape Seed

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Grape Fruits

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Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion. But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened . Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions. Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE? Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace? WHY?? There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance: The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

Grape Seed

The medicinal herb Grape Seed Extract as an alternative herbal remedy - The grape seeds used to produce this extract are generally obtained from wine manufacturers.

What Grape seed extract Is Used For

• Grape seed extract is used as an herbal remedy for conditions related to the heart and blood vessels, such as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and poor circulation.
• Other reasons for the use of grape seed extract include complications related to diabetes, such as nerve and eye damage; vision problems, such as macular degeneration (which can cause blindness); and swelling after an injury or surgery.
• Grape seed extract is also used for cancer prevention and wound healing.

How Grape seed extract Is Used

• Grape seed extract is prepared from the seed of grapes. It is available in capsule and tablet forms.

What the Science Says about Grape seed extract

• Laboratory studies have shown that grape seed contains antioxidants-substances that prevent cell damage caused by free radicals, which are highly reactive molecules that can damage cell function. However, it is still unclear how grape seed might affect human health.
• Grape seed extracts have shown some beneficial antioxidant effects in preliminary clinical trials. However, few trials have looked at specific diseases or conditions, and little scientific evidence is available.
• A study funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) found that grape seed extract did not reduce the hardening of breast tissue that can occur after radiation therapy for breast cancer.
• NCI is also funding studies evaluating whether grape seed extract is effective in preventing breast and prostate cancers.
• NCCAM is studying whether the action of grape seed extract and its components may benefit the heart or have protective effects in the brain.

Side Effects and Cautions of Grape seed extract

• Grape seed extract is generally well tolerated when taken by mouth. It has been used safely for up to 8 weeks in clinical trials.
• Side effects that have been reported most often include headache; a dry, itchy scalp; dizziness; and nausea.
• The interactions between grape seed extract and medicines or other supplements have not been carefully studied.
• Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

News About Grape Seed

The Next Amazing Health Food: The Seeds Of Wine Grapes

• Source:http://modernfarmer.com/2015/11/wine-grape-nutritional-benefits/

By Dan Nosowitz

There are plenty of studies looking into the mystical healing properties of wine (and plenty of anecdotal studies we could give you about the deliciousness and fun-to-drinkedness of wine). But a new crop of research, including a one published in AgResearch Magazine, focus not on the fermented juice but on the seeds.

Wine grapes, unlike table grapes, almost all have seeds in them; if you’re going to be mashing them for juice, the seeds are going to be discarded anyway, so there’s not much point in selectively breeding the seeds out of them. Those seeds actually have a few benefits; they can be pressed to make grapeseed oil, or they can be fed to livestock as a cheap source of pretty decent fats and proteins. But they aren’t really consumed by humans that much. But maybe they should be!

Wallace Yokoyama, a chemist for the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, has, among other projects, been working on the possible nutritional and health benefits of grape seeds for a few years now. Yokoyama has been feeding food to rats that’s “spiked,” according to the release, with flour made from pulverized grape seeds. The flours were provided by WholeVine Products, a Sonoma, California, company that sells oils, cookies, and flours made from both the seeds and the skins of Sonoma grapes.

A previous study found that chardonnay seeds—not the seeds of red wine grapes as you might expect—have the highest levels of flavinoids and anti-inflammatory compounds of the varieties tested. That previous study found that chardonnay seed flour, even stripped of its oils, is able to lower the levels of LDL (the bad kind of cholesterol) in the lab animals. The team’s new research focuses on the makeup of the rats’ gut bacteria and how that’s affected by the chemicals in the grape seed flour. They’ve found, according to Yokoyama, “a dramatic decrease in the numbers of gut bacteria,” which the team links to decreases in obesity, diabetes, and cholesterol.

Who knows? Someday soon you may be finding grape seed flour cookies on store shelves near you.

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Grape extract kills cancer cells

• Source:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7803619.stm

(BBC News)

An extract from grape seeds can destroy cancer cells, US research suggests.

In lab experiments, scientists found that the extract stimulated leukaemia cells to commit suicide.

Within 24 hours, 76% of leukaemia cells exposed to the extract were killed off, while healthy cells were unharmed, Clinical Cancer Research reports.

The study raises the possibility of new cancer treatments, but scientists said it was too early to recommend that people eat grapes to ward off cancer.

Grape seeds contain a number of antioxidants, including resveratrol, which is known to have anti-cancer properties, as well as positive effect on the heart.

Previous research has shown grapeseed extract has an effect on skin, breast, bowel, lung, stomach and prostate cancer cells in the laboratory.

It can also reduce the size of breast tumours in rats and skin tumours in mice.

However, the University of Kentucky study is the first to test its impact on a blood cancer.

Lead researcher Professor Xianglin Shi said: "These results could have implications for the incorporation of agents such as grapeseed extract into prevention or treatment of haematological (blood) malignancies and possibly other cancers.

"What everyone seeks is an agent that has an effect on cancer cells but leaves normal cells alone, and this shows that grapeseed extract fits into this category."

The researchers exposed leukaemia cells to grape extract in a range of different doses.

Apoptosis

One of the higher doses produced a marked effect, causing large numbers of the cells to commit suicide in a process known as apoptosis.

This is a natural method of getting rid of damaged and potentially dangerous cells.

When the mechanism behind apoptosis breaks down, cancerous cells can survive and multiply.

The researchers found grapeseed extract activates a protein called JNK which helps to regulate apoptosis.

When they exposed the leukaemia cells to an agent that inhibits JNK, the grapeseed extract effect was cancelled out.

Silencing the gene that makes JNK also blocked the extract's ability to kill cancer cells.

Kat Arney, Cancer Research UK's senior cancer information officer, warned against jumping to firm conclusions.

She said: "This is yet another story highlighting the potential cancer-fighting properties of naturally-occurring chemicals.

"Although interesting, it's still a long way from being a treatment that we can give to patients."

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Reaping the benefits of grapeseed oil

• Source:http://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/reaping-the-benefits-of-grapeseed-oil-116032500772_1.html

By Avantika Bhuyan

A new study suggests that it may be healthier than olive oil

The one question that has baffled and needled fitness enthusiasts for eternity is: which oil is the best for you? Our kitchen shelves have seen oils come and go -the oil regime shifting from years of greasy vanaspati to the era of clear vegetable oils and finally settling on to the rule of the olive oil. However, if a new study is to be believed, there is an oil that is healthier than olive oil, and that's grapeseed. Imbued with linoleic acid, the lipids found in grapeseed oil lower the risk of diabetes and heart disease. These lipids are, however, missing in olive oil, suggests the study conducted by researchers at the Ohio State University, which was published online in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research.

According to a media statement by the Ohio State University, researchers found that men and women with higher linoleic acid levels tended to have less heart-threatening fat nestled between their vital organs, more lean body mass and less inflammation. Moreover, higher linoleic acid levels meant lower likelihood of insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes. "This finding could have obvious implications in preventing heart disease and diabetes, but also could be important for older adults because higher lean body mass can contribute to a longer life with more independence," stated Martha Belury, professor of human nutrition, who led the research.

Grapeseed is not the only source of linoleic acid - safflower, sunflower and soybean oils contain it too - but it remains the best, with linoleic acid constituting 80 per cent of its fatty acids. "It has some very powerful antioxidants too, helps fight ageing and diseases, is great for the skin," says Ishi Khosla, clinical nutritionist and founder, weightmonitor.com. "And, most important, it is universally suited to all body and health types."

It also bears good news for all those who love to whip up an Indian feast and were earlier unable to do so with olive oil. "It has a very high smoking point, unlike olive oil. While the latter doesn't allow for deep frying or for cooking Indian subzis, but with grapeseed you can do all that," says Shikha Sharma, wellness expert and founder of Nutri-Health.

The fact that it is so light and odourless has made it quite a favourite with chefs, particularly those who specialise in Mediterranean fare. Sujan Sarkar, chef de cuisine, Olive Qutub, for instance, makes a mimosa dressing with grapeseed oil and orange for salads. Vikram Khatri, executive chef, Guppy by ai, too uses it to make dressings and for sauteeing. "It gives a clean, light-bodied feel with no aftertaste," says Khatri, who suggests storing the oil in the refrigerator after opening. "It's not just a great source of linoleic, but also of Vitamin D and Omega 6."

However, experts caution not to dismiss olive oil altogether. "While grapeseed oil is polyunsaturated, olive oil has monounsaturated fatty acid and Omega 3, which is great for the nervous system," says Sharma. There is no reason why grapeseed and olive oils can't coexist. "Ideally, one should have a mix of different oils in the diet," she says.

The one factor that is hindering grapeseed oil's progress from the shop shelf to the kitchen is its cost. On a popular grocery shopping website, while a 100 ml bottle of olive oil costs Rs 110, a similar quantity of grapeseed oil is priced at Rs 200. "It is too expensive as of now to be used as a mass cooking medium," says Khosla.

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Move over olive oil, grapeseed oil can be your heart's favourite health buddy

• Source:http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/move-over-olive-oil-grapeseed-oil-can-be-your-hearts-favourite-health-buddy/1/613723.html

(IndiaToday.in)

Grapeseed oil is an excellent source of linoleic acid, which constitutes about 80 percent of fatty acids that the body needs.

A diet rich in a fatty acids which is vital for nutrition and is found in grapeseed and other oils (but not in olive oil) may decrease the risk of heart disease and diabetes, according to a new study.

The results showed that men and women with higher linoleic acid levels--which contains omega-6 fatty acid--are less prone to heart disease and inflammation and also possess more lean body mass. Higher linoleic acid levels also means lower likelihood of insulin resistance, which is a precursor to diabetes.

"This finding could have obvious implications in preventing heart disease and diabetes, but also could be important for older adults because higher lean body mass can contribute to a longer life with more independence," said Martha Belury, professor at Ohio State University.

Grapeseed oil for now remains an excellent source of linoleic acid, which constitutes about 80 percent of its fatty acids. Corn oil also remains a decent source, the researchers noted. However, the general consumption of linoleic acid is declining because of genetic modification of plants for food manufacturers seeking oils higher in oleic acid. The industry's push against trans fats can be one possible reason.

"Vegetable oils have changed. They're no longer high in linoleic acid," Belury pointed out. When linoleic acid gets solid (hydrogenated) for processed foods, it is more likely to convert to trans fat than its oleic cousin.

So oils, notably safflower, sunflower and soybean, now routinely contain less linoleic acid--it often makes up less than 20 percent of the fatty acids in commonly purchased oils, based on food labels and confirmed by testing in her lab, Belury explained.

The study, published in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, is the first to examine linoleic acid alongside body composition and other health markers in people who hadn't been given supplements or prescriptive diets, the researchers noted.

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Compound in grape seed extract 'kills prostate cancer cells'

• Source:http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/269775.php

By Honor Whiteman

New research suggests that a component found in grape seed extract is effective in killing prostate cancer cells. This is according to a study published in the journal Nutrition and Cancer.

Investigators from the University of Colorado Cancer Center have analyzed the potential of grape seed extract (GSE) for its anti-cancer properties over the last 10 years.

But although previous research from the team has demonstrated its effectiveness against cancer cells and how it works, it was unknown as to which element of GSE produces these effects.

"This naturally occurring compound, GSE, is a complex mixture of polyphenols and, so far, it has been unclear about the biologically active constituents of GSE against cancer cells," says Alpna Tyagi, of the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Grape seeds Researchers have pinpointed a compound in grape seed extract called B2G2, which they discovered can successfully induce human prostate cancer cell death.

In the new study, however, the researchers discovered that a component of GSE called B2G2 is the most active against cancer cells.

But they say that isolating the compound from GSE is very costly and takes a long time, which halted any further experiments using this process.

Therefore, they decided to synthesize the B2G2 compound from GSE instead. The study details how the researchers were able to synthesize gram-quantity of the compound much faster than if they were to purify it from GSE, and this method was much more cost-effective.

"We've shown similar anti-cancer activity in the past with grape seed extract, but now we know B2G2 is its most biologically active ingredient, which can be synthesized in quantities that will allow us to study the detailed death mechanism in cancer cells," says Tyagi. B2G2 successfully triggered cancer cell death

As part of the study, the research team tested the synthesized B2G2 compound on human prostate cancer cells.

The compound was found to induce cancer cell death, known as apoptosis, but left healthy cells unharmed.

The investigators say that their findings mean they are a step closer to understanding the possible effects and mechanisms of active components in GSEs that are effective against cancer cells.

Tyagi adds:

"Isolating and synthesizing B2G2 is an important step because now we have the ability to conduct more experiments with the pure compound.

Ongoing work in the lab further increases our understanding of B2G2′s mechanism of action that will help for the preclinical and clinical studies in the future."

Other research has also reported positive effects of grape compounds against cancer.

Earlier this year, Medical News today reported on a study suggesting that resveratrol - a compound found in grape skin and red wine - may help treat several cancers, while another study suggested that grape seed extract is effective in the treatment of colorectal cancer.

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Grapeseed extract shows promise in prevention of cancer

• Source:http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20151115/entlife/151119636/

By Patrick B. Massey (MD, PH.D.)

Albert Einstein once said "Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."

In regards to the prevention and treatment of cancer, we are discovering that the foods we eat may have significant impact. A case in point is grapeseed extract.

Over the past 10 years, a number of medical studies have demonstrated that grapeseed extract, at least in animal models, can have significant impact on a number of different cancers. Although there are no compelling human clinical studies, grapeseed extract in the animal models of cancer are quite positive.

Grapeseed extract, as the name implies, comes from grapeseed. This particular product is very rich in a number of vitamins, as well as other biologically active compounds such as flavonoids, procyanidins and resveratrol.

Although most of the research into grapeseed extract has been done in animal models, grapeseed extract seems to have a positive effect throughout the entire body.

For example, in animals it has been shown to increase bone density. There is some data indicating that it also is effective at preventing tooth decay and reducing blood pressure. It does exhibit some antibacterial and antiviral activity in a test tube.

Most importantly, grapeseed extract seems to retard cancer cell growth both in the test tube and in animal models. A number of studies over the years have demonstrated that it inhibits the growth of cancer cell lines of lung, breast, prostate and colon cancers.

Some of the most interesting anticancer research has explored the aromatase-inhibiting activity of grapeseed extract and its effect on breast cancer cell growth. One older study published in 2006 demonstrated that grapeseed extract has significant aromatase-inhibiting activity and suppresses the growth of breast cancer cells in the mouse model for breast cancer.

Aromatase is an enzyme that, basically, converts testosterone into estrogen. Many types of breast cancer are stimulated by estrogen and have a very active aromatase enzyme system.

In traditional medicine some chemotherapy agents inhibit the activity of the aromatase enzyme and through that inhibition slow or prevent the growth of estrogen-sensitive breast cancer cells.

This 2006 study, published in Cancer Research, demonstrated that grapeseed extract has significant aromatase-inhibiting activity and greatly reduced the growth of breast cancer cells in mice that are genetically designed to develop breast cancer.

Since this study was published, dozens of other studies have demonstrated that many plants inhibit aromatase activity and may be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of a number of different cancers including breast cancer, colon cancer and prostate cancer.

Even though grapeseed extract may inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells, I do not endorse it as sole treatment for breast cancer.

In addition, there is always concern as to how grapeseed extract affects medications, even though the current data indicates that it is quite safe. A medical physician, board-certified in integrative medicine would be able to provide the best recommendations for the use of grapeseed extract during chemotherapy.

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3 ways grapes can protect your kidneys

• Source:http://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/ways-grapes-can-protect-your-kidneys-v1215/

By Anuradha Varanasi

Grapes can safeguard your kidney's health and also reverse kidney damage! Here's how...

While the burden of kidney diseases in India can’t be assessed accurately, the approximate prevalence of chronic kidney disease is as high as 800 per million population [1]. The leading cause of kidney diseases among Indians is diabetic nephropathy. However, you can avoid the risk of kidney diseases and safeguard your health by consuming grapes. Various studies have established that grape seeds extract and a component found in grapes called resveratrol are effective in protecting your kidneys, especially for diabetics. You can improve your kidney’s health by adding a glass of grape juice or at least 15 grapes a day to your diet, as per the recommendation of the National Kidney Foundation. Here’s how this fruit is beneficial for your kidneys. Other than this, red grapes can also boost your immunity.

Can reverse kidney damage

A study published in Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism found that the compounds found in grape seed and skin can reverse kidney damage caused by a high fat diet [2]. Obese people are more prone to kidney damage as it can lead to depletion of copper from the kidney, among other complications. The study suggests using grape seed and skin extracts as a preventive supplement for patients at a high risk of kidney disease due to obesity. Grapes is a great source of antioxidants, which protects the body against oxidative stress, which is the imbalance between production of free radicals and antioxidant defences.

Prevention of kidney disease

Around 50% of patients suffer from acute renal failure due to inadequate blood supply to the kidneys, or what is known as ischemia. Grapes have anti oxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms as the compound resveratol reduces the risk of damage caused by ischemia [3]. Resveratol was found to have a protective effect in rats’ kidneys who were suffering from tissue damage caused by the return of blood supply to the kidneys, after a period of lack of oxygen supply or ischemia. This study was conducted by Italian doctors from the University of Milan in 2013.

Reduction of renal disturbances

Iranian researchers found that 50 mg of grape seeds extracts a day for two weeks may reduce kidney function disturbances following tissue damage caused by ischemia [4]. The study was conducted on 32 rats in 2013 and researchers hope that this finding will be able to reduce the harmful effects of renal disturbances. Here are 5 other foods that can help you recover from kidney disease.

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What's So Great About Grape Seed?

• Source:http://www.prohealth.com/library/showarticle.cfm?libid=22345

By Dr. Mercola

Grapes are one of the most popular fruits in the U.S., but many people neglect to eat what is perhaps their healthiest feature — the seeds. Grape seeds are rich in powerful antioxidants and natural plant compounds called oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs).

OPCs are most well known for their antioxidant activity, which means, at the very least, grape seed may help to destroy free radicals in your body, which in turn may help you avoid premature aging and certain chronic diseases.

However, OPCs also demonstrate a host of other beneficial activities in the body, which may explain why grape seed extract appears to help so many different health conditions while exerting its effects body-wide.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH):1

"Today, grape seed extract is used as a folk or traditional remedy for conditions related to the heart and blood vessels, such as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and poor circulation …

… [C]omplications related to diabetes, such as nerve and eye damage; vision problems, such as macular degeneration (which can cause blindness); swelling after an injury or surgery; cancer prevention; and wound healing.

The grape seeds used to produce grape seed extract are generally obtained from wine manufacturers."

OPCs Help Make Grape Seed Extract a Health Superstar

One of grape seed extract's claims to fame is OPCs, which are related to the much more well-known compound resveratrol (found in grape skins). According to the journal Alternative Medicine Review, OPCs not only have antioxidant activity but are also:2

Antibacterial Antiviral

Anti-carcinogenic Anti-inflammatory

Anti-allergic Vasodilatory actions

In addition, the journal reported OPCs "have been found to inhibit lipid peroxidation, platelet aggregation, capillary permeability and fragility, and to affect enzyme systems … Based on these reported findings, OPCs may be a useful component in the treatment of a number of conditions."

OPCs may even play a role in cancer prevention. Research published in the journal Prostate found OPCs helped stop the spread of prostate cancer cells and also caused apoptosis (cell death) among prostate cancer cells.3 Further, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center

"Studies have found that grape seed extracts may prevent the growth of breast, stomach, colon, prostate, and lung cancer cells in test tubes. However, there is no clear evidence whether it works in humans.

Antioxidants, such as those found in grape seed extract, may help reduce the risk of developing cancer. Grape seed extract may also help prevent damage to human liver cells caused by chemotherapy medications."

Grape seed extract also contains high levels of compounds (procyanidin dimers) that act as aromatase inhibitors. This is likely another way grape seeds may help prevent and treat cancer, specifically hormone-dependent breast cancer.

Aromatase, an enzyme, converts androgen to estrogen and is expressed at higher levels in breast cancer tissues than normal tissues.

Many types of breast cancer are fueled by estrogen, which is why some chemotherapy drugs work by inhibiting the activity of aromatase. Grape seed extract may exert similar effects naturally.

Grape Seed for Your Heart Health, Skin and Brain

The more research that emerges on grape seeds, the more it becomes clear they have wide-reaching health benefits. Grape seeds have been shown to improve flexibility in joints, arteries and body tissues such as your heart, for instance.

Grape seed also helps improve blood circulation by strengthening capillaries, arteries and veins. Additional health benefits include those that follow.

High Blood Pressure

The antioxidants, including flavonoids, linoleic acid, and phenolic procyanidins, in grape seed extract help protect your blood vessels from damage, which may help prevent high blood pressure.

Grape seed extract has previously been shown to help dilate blood vessels and was shown to lower blood pressure in people with metabolic syndrome (most of whom also had prehypertension).

Another study found that a grape seed extract beverage improved blood pressure in people with pre-hypertension, while a single dose of grape seed extract improved blood pressure in hypertensive rats.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency

The OPCs in grape seed extract may benefit this condition. About 80 percent of those who consumed OPCs had an improvement in symptoms after the first 10 days of treatment. Feelings of heaviness, itching, and pain were reduced significantly.

Bone Strength

Grape seed extract has been shown to improve bone formation and bone strength in animal studies.

Swelling (Edema)

Grape seed extract has been found to inhibit leg swelling that can occur during prolonged sitting. In addition, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center:

"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 six months had less edema and pain than those who took placebo.

Another study found that people who took grape seed extract after experiencing a sports injury had less swelling than those who took placebo."

Cognitive Decline

Animal studies suggest grape seed extract may reverse hippocampal dysfunction in the brain by reducing oxidative stress and preserving mitochondrial function. Grape seed extract may even be useful as a preventative or therapeutic agent in Alzheimer's disease.

Oral Health

Grape seed extract solution led to less demineralization and more remineralization of cavities in one lab study. Since remineralization is an effective treatment that may stop or reverse early tooth decay, grape seed extract could play a beneficial role in oral health.

Diabetes

Grape seed extract administered along with exercise training improved lipid profile, weight loss, blood pressure and other diabetic complications better than either intervention administered alone.

According to researchers, "This [grape seed extract and exercise training] may constitute a convenient and inexpensive therapeutic approach to diabetic complications."

Slight evidence suggests grape seed extract may also be beneficial for:

•Improving night vision

•Protecting collagen and elastin in your skin (for anti-aging effects)

•Treating hemorrhoids

•Protecting against oxidative rancidity and bacterial pathogens

Can You Get the Benefits of Grape Seeds from Eating Grapes?

If you enjoy snacking on grapes, there's no reason to spit out the seeds (and may be some benefit from eating them). However, to reach therapeutic quantities of grape seeds you'd need to eat a lot of grapes — and this is not recommended since grapes are one of the highest-fructose fruits.

Most grape-seed extract comes from ground-up seeds from grapes used to make red wine. In fact, grape seeds and their extract are considered a byproduct of the wine and grape juice industries.

While you can purchase whole grape seeds to consume for health purposes, they're very bitter. This is actually a good thing, as polyphenols, flavonoids, and other beneficial plant compounds almost always taste bitter — it's a sign they're good for you.

Unfortunately, since most people find them to be unpalatable, "the food industry routinely removes these compounds from plant foods through selective breeding and a variety of debittering processes." If you're willing to get past the bitter taste, then whole grape seeds are an option.

If not, grape seed and grape seed extract is available in supplement form. There is no daily recommended amount at this time, but some studies used doses of between 100 to 300 milligrams/day. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends looking for products that are standardized to 40 percent to 80 percent proanthocyanidins, or an OPC content of not less than 95 percent.

Pictures of Grape Seed/Grapes

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  Grape bunch