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Grapes are a tasty and healthy snack, and now you may find that the seeds of grapes may also be of benefit. From the seeds of grapes is extracted grape seed extract. Grape seed extract comes in a powdered form that is often placed in capsules, as well as grape seed oil. Grape seed extract may be sold in a standardized or unstandardized form; the difference is that standardized extract contains a guaranteed percentage of certain beneficial chemicals, and unstandardized does not. Here are a few reasons why grape seed and its resulting extracts and oils are becoming popular.

One of the reasons is that grape seed contains polyphenols. Polyphenols, which are groupings of chemicals found in plants, may function as antioxidants, which may be beneficial to good health. Antioxidants protect human cells from oxidation. This is a good thing, because oxidation of cells can lead to cell damage, which can lead to the beginning of diseases such as cancer. Antioxidants, because they stop or slow down the oxidation of cells, may lower the risk of cancer and heart disease, including high blood pressure and cholesterol. The antioxidants found in grape seed may in part help to explain why people in France, who typically eat a high fat diet and drink red wine, tend to not have as many problems with heart disease and cancer as do people living and eating in the United States.

Grape seed also contains another polyphenol that is called resveratrol. This chemical may help with preventing cancer cells from growing and spreading. Resveratrol may also help with programmed cell death, which occurs in the human body on a normal basis to shed cells. Other chemicals found in grape seed and grape seed oil may also help to keep HIV from spreading in the body.

Although more testing needs to be done with grape seed oil, nevertheless the results obtained with animal testing look promising. Grape seed extract may help with the healing of cuts and with slowing the growth of oral bacteria that can cause cavities, and it may help with improving bone density.

Grape seed extract is usually taken orally in capsules, or is dissolved in water, which is added to drinks. It is not advised to take grape seed oil if you are also taking an anticoagulant drug, because grape seed oil can increase the effect.

As with all herbs, they have not been tested by the Food and Drug Administration, and therefore cannot be classified as medicine, and should not be used to treat any diseases. If you believe you have a medical condition or problem, you should always seek medical advice from your health care provider right away.