Vitis vinifera is the Latin name for the common grape vine. Vitis vinifera is cultivated throughout the World for wine, fruit and juice production. Vitis vinifera grows to around 30 meters in length, and is characterised by a flakey bark, alternate lobed leaves and fruits that grow in bunches. The fruits contain a seed that is high in antioxidant nutrients and these can be used commercially to produce supplements. Grape seed extracts are high in polyphenols and in particular contain high concentrations of the proanthocyanidin group of polyphenols. Proanthocyanidins are polymers of the flavan-3-ol flavonoids, often called catechins, that are common in the tea plant (Camellia sinensis). The proanthocyanidins as a group are known to be biologically active and are absorbed into human tissue from the gut where they confer antioxidant properties on cells and tissues. This antioxidant effect may explain the health effects attributed to regular consumption of proanthocyanidin rich foods such as grapes.
Pine bark extract contains similar proanthocyanidins to grape seed extracts. Both extracts appear to have overlapping effect. Pine bark extract may also therefore be useful in the treatment of mood disorders.
Studies have investigated the health effects of grape seed extracts and identified a number of health benefits including improvements in mental health. This may relate to the high antioxidant potential in grape seed extracts. For example, in one study researchers administered either 100 or 200 mg of proanthocyanidins per day from grape seed extract to a group of menopausal women. The subjects consumed this supplement for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks of supplementation the subject consuming the 200 mg per day dose had a significant reduction in their levels of insomnia, suggesting that the supplement had improved their sleep. After 4 weeks of supplementation the subject consuming the 100 mg per day dose had a significant reduction in their ratings of depression and anxiety. Other health effects included increases in muscle mass, decreases in blood pressure and a reduction in the severity and frequency of hot flashes. Grape seed extract may therefore positively affect mood as well as improve other health parameters.
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