A study conducted by Parisa Ghanbari and colleagues investigated whether grape seed extract could help people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a condition where fat builds up in the liver and can cause problems. They found that people who took grape seed extract (containing proanthocyanidins) for two months had lower levels of a marker for inflammation (IL-6) and a harmful molecule (MDA) compared to those who took a placebo (sugar pill). They also had higher levels of good things in their bodies, like antioxidants (TAC, SOD, GPx) which help fight cell damage. On top of that, people who took grape seed extract reported feeling better overall, having more energy for physical activities, and generally having a higher quality of life. While these results are promising, more research is needed to confirm them. (1)
Grape seed extract has been shown to help with health problems linked to obesity, especially in younger animals. A study conducted by Marta Sierra-Cruz and colleagues investigated if grape seed extract could still be beneficial for older rats with obesity. The researchers fed older rats a high-fat, high-sugar diet for 11 weeks. They gave the rats grape seed extract in two different ways: some got it for 10 days before the unhealthy diet, and others got it at the same time as the diet. They looked at the rats' weight, body fat, liver fat storage, and inflammation. Grape seed extract given at the same time as the unhealthy diet helped the rats by lowering their weight, overall fat storage, and fat buildup in the liver. However, giving grape seed extract before the diet only helped reduce belly fat in these older, obese rats. Overall, the study suggests that grape seed extract can still be helpful for older rats with obesity, especially if taken alongside an unhealthy diet. (2)
REFERENCE
1. Parisa Ghanbari et al, Grape seed extract supplementation in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2024 Feb 28. doi: 10.1024/0300-9831/a000805.
2. Marta Sierra-Cruz et al, Grape-Seed Proanthocyanidin Extract Reverts Obesity-Related Metabolic Derangements in Aged Female Rats, Nutrients. 2021 Jun 16;13(6):2059.