Grape Skin Extract

DESCRIPTION/FUNCTION

• Purple and red grape skin extract contains a mix of substances, some of which are found in grape seeds and some in red wine. These substances include nonbioflavonoid polyphenols (derivatives of cinnamic and benzoic acid) and bioflavonoid polyphenols (quercetin, catechins, flavonols, and anthocyanidins). One of these ingredients, resveratrol, was found to have antiplatelet aggregating activity.

DRI (RDA or AI for Adults)

• None.

MAJOR SOURCES

• Skin from red and purple grapes.

MAINTENANCE/THERAPEUTIC RANGE

• 200 mg to 1,000 mg (standardized to 30% anthocyanins or polyphenols).

POSSIBLE THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS

• Bruising
• Coronary heart disease

COMMENTS

• Red wine has gotten a lot of press, sometimes being called the "French Paradox." The reason for this is that, while Frenchmen have a high-fat diet, they have one-third as many heart attacks as American men, although they have similar high cholesterol and blood pressure levels as their American counterparts. The main reason for this effect may be the polyphenols from the grape skin, not the alcohol content of the wine.

CAUTIONS

• None known.