Grape seed extract to support good health? You've got to be kidding! Not at all. Grape seeds hold high potential health benefits. With many of our fruits being sold in seedless varieties, we've nearly forgotten that seeds are a natural part of any fruit and Mother Nature has placed them there for good reasons!
The reason why they are so good for your health is because Grape seed extract contains a concentrated form of antioxidants. It is found in the compound oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC). Grape seeds are known to contain the richest supply of OPCs.
Antioxidant Support for Today's Health Needs: To counteract the effects of a fast paced life on health, more Americans are trying to eat healthier and be more active. Medical experts agree that a change in America's health statistics requires a change in our basic lifestyles. Changing your lifestyle can include watching your calorie intake, including more fresh fruits and vegetables in the diet, and cutting down on saturated fats.
Even simple things, if done consistently, can reap rewards. For instance, you can substitute high calorie snacks with nutritious health bars or "fillers" such as raw carrots, cucumbers or a green salad which contains less calories and more nutrition. Substitute a carbonated beverage with water or a healthier drink like Green Tea.
Get a good 30 minutes of exercise at least 5 days a week. Weight management is one of the keys to supporting good health.
Along with a balanced diet and regular exercise, we need to include more antioxidant foods in our diet. Antioxidants are especially beneficial to your health in today's world. We are assaulted daily by toxins, pollutants and chemicals found in the environment and in the processed, pre-cooked foods we are so used to eating.
In addition, we are impacted by stress and the daily grind of life which eventually takes its toll on our health. All of these factors effect cellular health and antioxidants help to neutralize the damage to our system. They are our body's first line of defense. Antioxidants help support basic health at the cellular level. These are even more reason to eat foods that contain antioxidants. OPCs in grape seeds have more antioxidant strength than beta carotenes, vitamins C and E. OPCs are present in all grape varieties but higher concentrations are found in the seeds of red grapes. OPCs are known to have antibacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory properties. They also help to: promote cardiovascular health, support cognitive functions of the brain, skin health by assisting the body to promote the growth of collagen and elastin (which helps to keep skin looking young), eye health, gastric health, and immune health.
The next time you purchase grapes, ask for red grapes, with seeds please! For a regular, consistent supply of OPCs' antioxidant benefits in your diet, you may want a try a quality health supplement like Grape Seed Extract,containing a concentration of 95% OPC.
