Grapes have been with us since antiquity from the beautiful wine that is produced from them to their fruit, both fresh and dried as raisins and sultanas. Next time, when your eat them, before you spit out the seeds you should know that Grape Seeds contains some of the most powerful antioxidants we know. No, we don’t suggest you crunch them up but the way! Better to take them as an extract.

What makes Grape Seed extract so important?

At a time when we are bombarded with chemicals and environmental pollutants of all kinds, is there something you can do to mediate the harmful effects of free radicals that are created by these environmental stressors? We think there is and it’s called Grape Seed extract. Grape seeds contain high amounts of the polyphenol Proanthocyanidin. Proanthocyanidins (PC’s) are unique anti-aging phytochemicals known as flavonoids which have powerful antioxidant capabilities and are present in the grape as Procyanidins. Mixtures of Proantho-cyanidins are referred to as OCP’s (oligomeric proanthocyanidins). PC’s do occur naturally in fruit, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Grape seeds however, are one of the highest sources of PC’s, and these compounds have been reported to be beneficial against free radicals and oxidative stress.

More potent than Vitamins C and E

Because they are able to cross the blood-brain barrier, OPC’s can protect the brain and spinal nerves against free radical damage. Grape seed extracts repair connective tissues including those of the cardiovascular system and can help support the immune system and slow ageing. They also moderate allergic and inflammatory responses by reducing histamine production. Clinical tests suggest that OPC’s may be as much as fifty times more potent that vitamin E and twenty times more potent than vitamin C in terms of bioavailable antioxidant activity.

So what are Free Radicals?

A free radical is an electrically charged atom or group of atoms with an unpaired electron in its outermost shell. Having an unpaired electron in the outer shell causes instability and makes the molecule highly reactive, and destructive to nearby molecules. Tissues that are under a high amount of free radical attack include the skin and cardiovascular system and this free radical activity can be associated with ageing.

How are Free Radicals formed?

Free radicals are produced by the absorption of energy from many sources including:

• ultraviolet radiation
• x rays
• pesticides
• toxic chemical wastes
• direct and second hand cigarette smoke
• car exhaust
• urban air pollutants ozone and radiation
• physical stress

These can produce enormous amounts of free radicals, resulting in oxidative deterioration of lipids, proteins and DNA, inhibition of cellular and antioxidant defence systems, changes in gene expression, to mention a few things that can contribute to disease.

Grape Seed can improve your skin

Grape seed extract is deemed a potent antioxidant that helps to neutralise free radicals. It inhibits the destruction of collagen by stabilising the activity of 1-antitrypsin, which inhibits the activity of destructive enzymes that work on elastin and hyaluronic acid. Grape seed can strengthen collagen fibres in the body, thereby improving the look and feel of your skin. The extract is believed to bond with collagen, which as a result, enhances the health, elasticity, and visible appearance of ageing skin. Grape seed extract has been shown to stabilise capillary walls and prevent increases in capillary permeability and components in Grape seed extract were found to have the ability to crosslink collagen fibres, consequently strengthening the collagen matrix. Grape seed is a powerful antioxidant in its own right, but may also aid the effectiveness of other antioxidants in the body.

Mr Vitamins recommends

Southernature’s Grape Seed 40000 PLUS Green Tea

Contains potent antioxidants, which assist in protecting the body from the damaging effects of free radicals Find out more and shop online for Southernature's Grape Seed 40000 Plus Green Tea here   Reference: Selective extract from http://www.southernature.com.au/news/grape-seed-as-an-antioxidant/