Grape Seed
Vitis vinifera
An extract made from the seeds of wine grapes. Reviews suggest it may lower LDL cholesterol and the bottom number of blood pressure, but the studies were small.
Safety at a glance
- Pregnancy1 note →
- BreastfeedingNothing recorded
- Medicines1 note →
- Who should avoid itNothing recorded
- AllergiesNothing recorded
- ToxicityNothing recorded
Tap a box to read the safety notes below. “Nothing recorded” means our sources don't cover it, not that it's safe.
Grape Seed may interact with some medicines. If you take any medicine, read Interactions with medicines below and talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using it.
What is Grape Seed?
- Plant family
- Vitaceae, the grape family
- Parts used
- The seeds of wine grapes
- Genus
- Vitis
- Species
- vinifera
Also called
Grape Seed Extract
Traditionally used for
- LDL cholesterol (some evidence)
- Blood pressure (diastolic
- some evidence)
Traditionally described as
- Rich in proanthocyanidins
Health topics
Where Grape Seed appears in symptom search, and why. Being listed doesn't mean it's a proven treatment.
- High Blood Pressure
A 2022 review of 19 studies found it lowered the bottom number of blood pressure, but not the top number.
- High Cholesterol
A 2020 review found it may lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides; the studies were small.
How it's prepared
Common ways Grape Seed is prepared or sold. This isn't advice on how to take it; see Safety below.
- Extract
Grape seed extract, made from the seeds of wine grapes, is sold as a dietary supplement and added to products for the skin.[1]Health agency
Safety
Interactions with medicines
If you take any medicine, talk with your health care provider first. Some herbs and medicines interact in harmful ways.[1]Health agency
Side effects
Grape seed extract is generally well tolerated, taken by mouth or used on the skin.[1]Health agency
Pregnancy
Little is known about whether grape seed extract is safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding.[1]Health agency
What does the research say?
Laboratory & animal research
Lab and animal results show what might be worth studying in people. They don't show that the herb has these effects in humans.
Grape seed extract contains proanthocyanidins, plant compounds with effects that might help manage some health conditions. In lab and animal studies, extract put on the skin may help wounds heal, and in mouth rinses it might help prevent tooth decay, but there's too little research in people to know.[1]Health agency
Research in people
A 2020 review of 11 studies with 536 people found grape seed extract may lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol and triglycerides, but not total or HDL ("good") cholesterol. The studies were small and used different products, so this isn't certain.[1]Health agency
A 2022 review of 19 studies with 1,080 people found grape seed extract lowered diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) but not systolic (the top number). Results varied between studies, perhaps because of different doses, lengths of use and people studied.[1]Health agency
In short
Generally well tolerated. Little is known about use in pregnancy.
Sources
- [1] Grape Seed Extract: Usefulness and Safety — National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH)Government health agency
This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Unfamiliar word? See what these words mean.