Grape seed oil

Although sometimes referred to as a vegetable oil, grape seed oil is actually from grape seeds of Vitis vinifera that are left in abundance from the wine making process.

Table of contents

1 Cooking 2 Treatment for 3 Modern Uses 4 Current Medical Info 5 Vitamins in grape seed oil 6 Scientific References

Cooking

Grape seed oil seems to go a lot farther in cooking applications than other oils - you need one-third to one-half of the oil you would otherwise use. Calorie for calorie, grape seed oil equals other oils, about 120 per tablespoon, but the fact that you can use less can help you keep your daily calorie count under control. Grape seed oil is extracted from grape seeds and has a relatively high smoking point, approximately 320 degrees Fahrenheit, so it can be safely used to cook at high temperatures. Grape seed oil for stir-fries, sautéing and fondue. In addition to its high smoking point, grape seed oil has other positive attributes in relation to cooking. It has a clean, light taste that has been described as 'nutty'. Because of its 'neutral' taste, grape seed oil is often used as a base for infusing or flavoring with garlic, rosemary, or other herbs or spices. One is able to use less grape seed oil for precisely the same reasons that the cosmetics industry likes it, the emollient and film-forming virtues. In all products it is a preferred cosmetic ingredient for damaged and stressed tissues, regenerative and restructuring virtues which allow a better control of skin moisturization. It can help skin retain the normal structure of epithelium cells and nerve cells via supporting the cell membranes. It is noted to be especially effective for repair of the skin around the eyes.

Treatment for

Atherosclerosis, breast cancer, Constipation, hair disorders, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, lung cancer, macular degeneration, pancreatitis, varicose veins.

Modern Uses

Grape seed oil is used for: salad dressings, marinades, deep frying, flavored oils, baking, massage oil, sunburn repair lotion, hair products, body hygiene creams, lip balm and hand creams.

Current Medical Info

Studies have shown that grape seed-derived oligomeric proanthrocyanidins (OPC) prevents cardiovascular disease and can counteract the negative effects of high cholesterol on the heart and blood vessels. OPC's are a set of bioflavonoid complexes that perform as free radical scavengers in the human body. These OPCs can help protect against the effects of internal and environmental stresses (that is, cigarette smoking, pollution, and suporting normal body metabolic processes). The effects are; depressing blood fat, emolliating blood vessels, lowering blood pressure, preventing blood vessel scleroses, dropping blood viscidity and preventing thrombus formation (a type of platelet clot).

In a large survey published in 1993 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Dr. Nash showed in a sample group of 56 men and women using up to 1 1/2 ounces per day, an amount that one can cook with, grapeseed oil had the ability to raise HDL levels by 13% and reduce LDL levels by 7% in just three weeks. The total cholesterol/HDL ratio was reduced 15.6% and the total LDL/HDL ratio was reduced by 15.3%, which could be significant for those at risk of heart attack.

Vitamins in grape seed oil

Vitamin E ( 80mg to 120mg / 100g ), Vitamin C and Beta-Carotene.
There is unconfirmed information that grape seed oil also contains Vitamin D.

Average composition of Grape Seed Oil fatty acids
Common Name	Acid Name	Average Percentage Range
Omega-6	Linoleic acid	69	to	78%
Omega-9	Oleic acid	15	to	20%
Palmitic acid	Hexadecanoic acid	5	to	11%
Stearic acid	Octadecanoic acid	3	to	6%
Omega-3	A-Linolenic Acid	0.3	to	1%
Palmitoleic acid	9-Hexadecenoic acid	0.5	to	0.70%

Grape seed oil also contains 0.8 to 1.5% unsaponifiables rich in phenols
(tocopherols) and steroids (campesterol, beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol).

Scientific References

1. D.T. Nash, S.D. Nash, State University of New York Health Science Center at Syracuse, W.D. Grant, Department of Family Medicine, State University of New York Health Science Center at Syracuse, Syracuse, New York: Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 925-116 Grapeseed Oil, A natural Agent Which Raises Serum HDL levels, 1993.
2. Joshi SS, Kuszynski CA, Bagchi D. The cellular and molecular basis of health benefits of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract. Curr Pharm Biotechnol. 2001;2(2):187-200.
3. Foster S, Tyler VE. Tyler's Honest Herbal. 4th ed. New York: The Haworth Herbal Press; 1999:201-203.