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The main benefit of grape fruit seed extract comes from the
chemical compounds called proanthocyanidins. Proanthocyanidins
(OPCs) for oligomeric procyanidins (PCOs) for procyanidolic
oligomers are a class of nutrients belonging to the flavonoid
family.
Proanthocyanidins exhibit antioxidant effects and
play a role in the stabilization of collagen and maintenance of
elastin used to create connective tissue that is used to support
organs, joints, blood vessels, and muscle. Studies have indicated
that proanthocyanidins may be useful in reducing the duration of
edema after face-lift surgery from almost 16 days to just about 4
days. Other studies have provided preliminary evidence to support
the belief that proanthocyanidins can also have anti-mutagenic
effects.
Proanthocyanidins have demonstrated some positive
effects on vision in healthy people and have shown to possibly
prevent and reverse abnormal blood clotting in smokers. (Note: 200
mg was the daily dosage used in vision
study)
Proanthocyanidins can be found in many plants, most
notably pine bark, grape seed, and grape skin. However, grape seed,
cranberry, black currant, green tea, black tea, and other herbs also
contain proanthocyanidins. Nutritional supplements containing
proanthocyanidins extracts from various plant sources are available
alone or in combination with other nutrients in herbal extracts,
capsules, and tablets.
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