4 Reasons to EAT Your Grape Seeds

Do you like eating grapes?

So do I. They're a juicy ,tasty bundle of goodness. Here's the catch, if you toss out the seeds, or eat only the seedless type, you're missing plenty. Why?

Because, the discarded seeds carry more benefits than the fleshy grapes! This is a fact.

Research shows, grape seeds are full of important nutrients and have a ton of health benefits. Although bitter to taste, the seeds are edible and safe for eating everyday. 

What do grape seeds contain?

Grape seeds are rich in vitamin E, linoleic acid, and powerful antioxidants. Flavonoids and OPC's are the 2 potent antioxidant sources from grape seeds.

OPC is short for ”Oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes” and this is a hot topic in antioxidant research right now.

I'm stunned at just how much these tiny seeds can deliver.

4 Reasons to Eat Your Grape Seeds

1. Improves blood circulation

Grape seeds can improve the blood flow in your body. This means better blood flow to your heart, brain and all organs. This is especially good news for those with varicose veins, swelling and heart problems.

One study showed that grape seeds help reduce leg swelling due to prolonged sitting. 

2. Fights cancer

If you've been avoiding grape seeds because they are bitter, it's a mistake.

The bitterness factor is because of their high OPC levels. OPCs are among the most powerful antioxidants that protect your cells from cancer.

They also contain flavonoids like catechin, epicatechin, and EGCG (present in green tea). These are anti-cancer agents with high antioxidant power.

In fact, the antioxidant power of OPC is 50 times greater than vitamin C and 20 times more than vitamin E. 

3. Better brain health

 The OPC's in grape seeds are effective in reducing damage to the brain.

A lab study showed that grape seed extracts helped reverse the damage caused due to seizures.

Researchers found that grape seed extracts actually preserved the function of brain cells. Pretty amazing if you think about it!

Yet another report suggests that grape seeds interfere with neurotoxic pathways leading to Alzheimer's.  This report suggests that grape seed extracts could help prevent Alzheimer's. 

There's also promising early research that suggests OPC's in grape seeds can act as anti-depressants by raising serotonin and dopamine levels. 

4. Helps weight loss

Yes, grape seeds can even help with weight loss!

Researchers found that compounds in grape seeds blocked the activity of fat enzymes.

Your body's 2 key fat metabolizing enzymes are pancreatic and lipoprotein lipases. These 2 enzymes encourage fat absorption and storage. Grape seeds block their activity and prevent fat storage in the body. Nice, right?!

How to eat grape seeds?

  • Choose an organic variety that contains seeds.
  • Chew before you swallow. Chewing, crushes the seeds and releases the beneficial nutrients within them. 
  • Adding ground grape seeds to smoothies, soups or broths are great ways to get the benefits.

Isn't this amazing ?!! Grape seeds are bitter, but in this case bitter makes for better health! Just use them in recipes that mask the flavor and your body will thank you.

Yours in Health,

Danette

P.S. Please share this with your grape loving friends and I welcome your comments below. Have you tried grape seeds yet?