NOW Foods Pine Bark Extract 240 mg – High-Potency Antioxidant & Vascular Support (90 Veg Capsules)
Standardized to Minimum 90% Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPCs) with Synergistic Green Tea Extract (100 mg)
Clinical Snapshot: Pine bark extract is one of nature’s most concentrated sources of polyphenolic bioflavonoids. Every single-capsule serving delivers 240 mg of Chinese Red Pine bark extract (Pinus massoniana) standardized to 90% proanthocyanidins, fortified with 100 mg of green tea extract (50% EGCg) to help fight everyday oxidative stress, support nitric oxide release, and promote smooth cardiovascular blood flow.
✓240 mg Pure Bark Extract: Maximum clinical-strength potency per vegetarian capsule.
✓90% Active Proanthocyanidins: Concentrated bioactive bioflavonoids for rapid cellular defense.
✓Fortified with Green Tea EGCg: 100 mg green tea provides dual-action polyphenol protection.
✓GMP Quality Assured: Non-GMO, vegan/vegetarian, and extensively lab-tested for heavy metals and purity.
What Is Pine Bark Extract and Why Does the Source Matter?
Pine bark extract is a potent natural botanical derived from the inner bark of specific pine tree species. For centuries, maritime communities and traditional practitioners prepared tonics from pine bark to maintain stamina and withstand harsh conditions. Today, modern nutritional science has identified why: pine bark is packed with water-soluble plant nutrients called oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs).
NOW Foods Pine Bark Extract 240 mg is specifically extracted from the inner bark of Pinus massoniana (Chinese red pine). Much like French maritime pine (Pinus pinaster), Pinus massoniana thrives in mineral-dense forest soils and yields a complex fingerprint of antioxidant compounds, including catechin, epicatechin, taxifolin, and phenolic acids.
While raw, unstandardized pine bark powder varies wildly from batch to batch, NOW Foods standardizes this formula to guarantee an industry-leading minimum 90% proanthocyanidins. That means out of every 240 mg capsule, at least 216 mg are active, bioavailable polyphenols ready to protect your cells.
How Pine Bark Extract Works: Biological Mechanisms in Plain English
To understand why pine bark is considered a biological powerhouse, think of your circulatory system as a delicate network of microscopic pipes and your cells as living engines:
1. Neutralizing "Cellular Rust" (Free Radicals)
Every second, normal metabolism, physical exercise, and environmental toxins create unstable molecules called free radicals. Left unchecked, they trigger lipid peroxidation—a process comparable to rust eroding metal. The OPCs in pine bark act like microscopic shields, disarming free radicals before they damage DNA and delicate cell membranes.
2. Supporting Nitric Oxide & Vessel Elasticity
Your blood vessels are lined with a smooth inner layer called the endothelium. When stimulated, the endothelium produces nitric oxide (NO), a vital chemical messenger that signals vessel walls to relax and widen. Pine bark bioflavonoids stimulate the endothelial nitric oxide synthase enzyme, helping arteries remain flexible, responsive, and open.
3. Protecting Structural Collagen & Elastin
Collagen and elastin proteins give strength and flexibility to both your skin and your blood vessel walls. Proanthocyanidins have a unique chemical affinity for these proteins, binding to them and shielding them from collagenase enzymes that break structural tissue down with age.
Evidence-Based Health Benefits & Clinical Research
Decades of peer-reviewed human trials and laboratory studies have confirmed that standardized pine bark extract supports multiple systems throughout the human body:
Cardiovascular Health & Healthy Blood Pressure Support
Healthy circulation depends on smooth, pliable blood vessel walls. In a 2022 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating Pinus massoniana bark extract in adults, researchers observed significant improvements in resting blood pressure dynamics and vascular markers over a 12-week intervention period. By reducing oxidative strain on arterial linings and enhancing endothelial function, pine bark assists the body in maintaining normal blood pressure already within a healthy range.
Peer-Reviewed Reference: Garg, M. L., et al. (2022). "Effect of a polyphenol-rich dietary supplement containing Pinus massoniana bark extract on blood pressure in healthy adults: A parallel, randomized placebo-controlled trial." Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 71, 102896.
Systemic Antioxidant Capacity & Cellular Defense
As the human body ages, endogenous antioxidant defenses slowly decline. A randomized clinical trial published in the peer-reviewed journal Antioxidants established that oral supplementation with Pinus massoniana bark extract significantly increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and reduced systemic oxidative biomarkers in older adults compared to placebo.
Peer-Reviewed Reference: Ferguson, J. J. A., Oldmeadow, C., Bentley, D., & Garg, M. L. (2022). "Antioxidant Effects of a Polyphenol-Rich Dietary Supplement Incorporating Pinus massoniana Bark Extract in Healthy Older Adults: A Two-Arm, Parallel Group, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial." Antioxidants, 11(8), 1560.
Because pine bark bioflavonoids strengthen tiny microcapillaries, clinical research indicates that proanthocyanidin supplementation improves blood flow to the extremities, reduces feelings of heavy legs associated with prolonged standing, and delivers oxygen and nutrients to dermal layers. This microvascular support helps preserve skin firmness, elasticity, and hydration from the inside out, while mitigating joint stiffness following daily activity.
Peer-Reviewed Reference: Schoonees, A., Visser, J., Musekiwa, A., & Volmink, J. (2020). "Pycnogenol® (extract of French maritime pine bark) for the treatment of chronic disorders." Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (9), CD008294.
The Synergistic Edge: 240 mg Pine Bark + 100 mg Green Tea Extract
Many standalone pine bark supplements on the market provide only 30 mg to 100 mg per pill, requiring you to swallow multiple capsules each day. NOW Foods formulates this premium product with a robust 240 mg therapeutic dose in a single capsule.
Even more importantly, NOW pairs pine bark with 100 mg of standardized Green Tea Extract (Camellia sinensis), yielding a guaranteed 50% epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg). In nutritional biochemistry, combining condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins) with monomeric catechins (EGCg) produces a powerful synergistic cascade:
✓Broader Spectrum Free-Radical Scavenging: EGCg and OPCs operate via complementary molecular pathways, quenching both reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS).
✓Enhanced Metabolic & Cellular Longevity: Green tea catechins encourage cellular autophagy and mitochondrial health, reinforcing the vascular protection provided by pine bark.
✓Cost Efficiency & Potency: You receive two premier longevity extracts in a single convenient veggie capsule rather than buying two separate products.
Complete Supplement Facts & Allergen Profile
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 Veg Capsule | Servings Per Container: 90
Active Ingredient
Amount Per Serving
% Daily Value
Pine Bark Extract (Pinus massoniana) (Standardized to min. 90% Proanthocyanidins)
240 mg
**
Green Tea Extract (Camellia sinensis) (Leaf) (Standardized to min. 50% EGCg)
100 mg
**
** Daily Value (DV) not established.
Other Ingredients: Hypromellose (cellulose capsule), Microcrystalline Cellulose, Stearic Acid (vegetable source), Silicon Dioxide, and Calcium Citrate.
Allergen Information: Not manufactured with yeast, wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, or tree nut ingredients. Produced in a certified Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.
Quality & Sourcing: Non-GMO, Vegan / Vegetarian formulation. Manufactured and quality-tested in the USA with globally sourced ingredients. Family owned since 1968.
Suggested Use, Storage & Important Safety Information
Directions for Use
Take 1 veg capsule daily, preferably with a meal containing healthy fats or alongside breakfast. Drinking a full glass of water helps optimize absorption.
Proper Storage
Store bottle tightly sealed in a cool, dry place after opening. Protect from direct sunlight, excessive heat, and high humidity. Keep out of reach of children.
Medical Disclaimer & Cautionary Guidance
For adult use only. Consult your healthcare physician prior to use if you are pregnant, nursing, attempting to conceive, taking medications (particularly blood thinners, antiplatelet drugs, or blood pressure medications), or managing an autoimmune condition. Discontinue use at least two weeks before elective surgical procedures.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between NOW Pine Bark Extract and Pycnogenol®?
Pycnogenol® is a proprietary registered trademark for extract sourced specifically from French maritime pine (Pinus pinaster). NOW Foods utilizes premium Pinus massoniana (Chinese red pine) standardized to a minimum of 90% proanthocyanidins. Both contain the same primary active antioxidant classes (OPCs, taxifolin, and catechins), but NOW Foods offers a substantially higher active dosage (240 mg per capsule plus 100 mg green tea) at a significantly more accessible price point.
Does this supplement contain caffeine because of the green tea extract?
NOW Green Tea Extract naturally contains very small residual traces of caffeine (typically less than 1 to 4 mg per capsule). By comparison, an average 8-ounce cup of coffee contains approximately 95 mg of caffeine. Most individuals who are sensitive to caffeine experience no stimulant side effects from this low amount.
How long does it take to see benefits from pine bark extract?
While acute antioxidant protection begins within hours of digestion, clinical studies evaluating vascular flexibility, blood pressure modulation, skin elasticity, and microcirculation demonstrate that cumulative benefits become most pronounced after 6 to 12 weeks of consistent daily supplementation.
Can I take pine bark extract alongside other vitamins and supplements?
Yes. Pine bark extract pairs exceptionally well with Vitamin C, Vitamin E, CoQ10, and grape seed extract. Because OPCs help regenerate oxidized Vitamin C within cells, they work harmoniously together. However, if you are currently taking prescription blood thinners, anticoagulants, or hypertension pharmaceuticals, check with your prescribing doctor first.
Is NOW Foods Pine Bark Extract vegan and allergen-free?
Yes. This product is encapsulated in vegetarian cellulose (hypromellose) capsules and contains no animal products. It is formulated without wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, or tree nuts, and is manufactured under strict GMP compliance to prevent cross-contamination.
