(OPC) Grape Seed Extract

Darrell Miller

05/03/08

Date: May 03, 2008 12:49 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: (OPC) Grape Seed Extract

Back in the early 1930’s scientists discovered that proanthocyanidins found in grape seeds, green tea, and several other foods are powerful antioxidants that can help the body fight free radicals. Over the year’s research continued to mount on the benefits of proanthocyanidins and in the 1990’s grape seed took the spot light.

Research studies suggested in the 1990’s that moderate use of red wine daily has significant health benefits and mainstream press popularized this notion. Supplement manufactures jumped on the bandwagon and produced a product that was alcohol free with the same benefits of drinking red wine. This was good news for those who don’t want to drink on a regular basis but the manufactures didn’t back up their product with any research at that time.

Proanthocyanidins are a group or class of flavonoids found in many plants as discussed above. Scientists discovered polymecric and oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC), but the oligomeric has a smaller molecular weight and can pass through the intestinal walls easier than the polymecric proanthocyanidins (PPC). This means that if you are not consuming the OPC extract for of grape seed then you are probably getting very little benefit from the supplement.

If you are taking a grape seed extract supplement and there is no OPC listed on the label, the manufacture is most likely just tableting or encapsulating crushed grape seeds that aren’t standardized to the most active form OPC. This will dramatically reduce the cost of grape seed extract, so if you see a low prices grape seed extract at your health food store, be weary of the product if it doesn’t say OPC.

When one consumes true OPC grape seed extract, one can experience many health benefits including cardiovascular benefits. Have you had your OPC Grape seed extract lately?

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