Red Vine: Benefits, Dosage, Contraindications

Venous insufficiency
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Oral intake of grape seed extract or its proanthocyanidin constituents seems to reduce the subjective symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and improve venous tone. In some clinical trials, an extract of red vine leaves was administered orally to patients suffering from CVI. Leg swelling decreased significantly after 6 weeks of treatment compared to placebo. Patients also reported a significant decrease in subjective complaints such as tired or heavy legs, tension, tingling, and pain after 2 to 12 weeks of treatment. A large study involving 4729 subjects with peripheral venous insufficiency due to hormone replacement therapy showed that grape seed extract reduced the sensation of heaviness in the legs in just over half of the subjects at day 45, while 89.4% of subjects experienced improvement by day 90. According to an open multicentric study conducted on women aged 18 to 50 years suffering from edema due to premenstrual syndrome, grape seed extract administered from day 14 to 28 improved various symptoms of water retention, such as abdominal swelling, weight gain, and pelvic pain, as well as venous insufficiency. EMA recommends Vitis Vinifera leaves for the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency, characterized by swollen legs, varicose veins, heaviness, pain, fatigue, itching, tension, and cramps in the calves.

Posologie

Oral: leaf, seeds, grape

150 - 720 mg

standardized extract, dry extract

Oxidative stress
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Clinical studies show a reduction in oxidation among smokers and diabetic individuals.

Posologie

Oral route: seeds

300 mg

standardized extract, dry extract

Diabetic retinopathy
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Preliminary clinical research shows that daily intake of a grape seed extract containing 100-120 mg of the constituent proanthocyanidin for up to 3 months can stabilize and slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy. Additional preliminary clinical research in patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy shows that taking a grape seed extract at a dosage of 50 mg three times daily for 12 months significantly reduces the severity of hard exudates compared to placebo. Treatment success was defined as a decrease in the severity of hard exudate. Hard exudate refers to yellow or white deposits on the retina, often associated with retinal disorders such as diabetic retinopathy. It is important to note that although a reduction in hard exudates was observed, no significant improvement in retinopathy or visual acuity was reported with the use of the extract.

Posologie

Oral route: seeds

100 - 150 mg

standardized extract, dry extract

Eye health
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A double-blind study involving 75 patients suffering from eye fatigue caused by computer screen viewing showed that a dose of 300 mg of grape seed extract per day significantly improved objective and subjective measures. It has also been demonstrated that grape seed extract significantly improves visual adaptation to and from bright light in a double-blind study involving 100 volunteers. A dose of 200 mg per day for 5 weeks was used. It has been proposed that grape seed extract increases the rhodopsin content (or retinal purple: a photosensitive protein pigment) of the retina or accelerates its regeneration after exposure to bright light. Preliminary clinical research shows that grape seed extract containing proanthocyanidins could also improve night vision.

Posologie

Oral route: seeds

200 - 300 mg

standardized extract, dry extract

Hypertension
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The impact of grape seed extract and grape polyphenols on blood pressure presents varied results. Some studies have noted a slight improvement in individuals with pre-hypertension, mild hypertension, or metabolic syndrome, but the data are not uniform. An analysis of nine clinical studies with 390 participants showed a modest reduction in systolic blood pressure without effect on diastolic pressure. Another meta-analysis of sixteen trials on 810 patients found a more significant reduction in blood pressure, especially in obese patients or those with metabolic syndrome.

Posologie

Oral route: seeds

150 - 2000 mg

8 - weeks

standardized extract, dry extract

Cardiovascular diseases
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There is preliminary evidence that taking grape-based products, such as concentrated grape juice or grape seed extracts, might improve endothelial vasodilation, prevent oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), reduce inflammation markers, and suppress platelet-mediated thrombosis. Chronic ingestion of these products might reduce cardiovascular disease risk in various patient populations, including adults with type 2 diabetes or hypercholesterolemia, individuals undergoing hemodialysis, and children with metabolic syndrome.

Posologie

Oral route: seeds

150 - 2000 mg

standardized extract, dry extract, juice

Metabolic syndrome
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Preliminary clinical research shows that whole grapes might improve some risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome in humans. Consumption of natural grape juice or grape pomace has improved endothelial function and fasting insulin levels. Other clinical research has shown that taking grape seed extract at 150-300 mg per day for 4 weeks reduces systolic blood pressure by 11 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 6-7 mmHg from baseline in patients with metabolic syndrome; compared to placebo, these reductions were significant. However, there is no effect on blood lipids or fasting glucose. It is not known if these changes reduce the risk of diabetes and/or vascular events associated with metabolic syndrome.

Posologie

Oral route: seeds

150 - 300 mg

standardized extract, dry extract, juice

Wrinkles
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Preliminary clinical research shows that taking a compound containing 10 mg of grape skin extract, 570 mg of marine collagen peptides, 10 mg of coenzyme Q10, 10 mg of luteolin, and 0.05 mg of selenium, could improve skin elasticity and sebum production in adults showing signs of skin aging. Taking this combined product also appears to improve dermal thickness.

Posologie

Orally: seeds, seed

10 mg

standardized extract, dry extract

Synergies

Hypercholesterolemia
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The effects of grape seed extract in patients with hypercholesterolemia are inconsistent. A clinical study on patients with mild hypercholesterolemia shows that taking 100 mg of red grape seed extract twice a day for 8 weeks reduces total cholesterol and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels by approximately 5% and 9% respectively, compared to baseline. These changes are statistically significant compared to the placebo group. However, there were no significant differences between groups regarding LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, or very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol after 8 weeks.

Posologie

Orally: seeds, seed

200 mg

standardized extract, dry extract

Skin Healing
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Preliminary clinical research shows that applying a cream with 2% grape seed extract twice a day after the removal of a skin lesion reduces the complete healing time by about 6 days compared to a placebo cream. Preliminary clinical research conducted on women recovering from a cesarean section also shows that applying an ointment with 5% grape seed extract twice a day on cesarean wounds for 14 days improves healing, as measured by a score assessing redness, swelling, bruising, discharge, and wound closure, compared to a placebo ointment.

Posologie

Topically: seeds, seed

cream

Cognitive Performance
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Clinical research conducted on patients aged 55 to 75 with no baseline cognitive decline shows that taking a 250 mg grape fruit extract daily for 12 weeks modestly improves cognitive function and mood. Cognitive function improved by 4.5%, and overall neuropsychological status, including attention, language, and memory, improved by 6.2% compared to the placebo group, which experienced no change. Additionally, preliminary clinical research conducted on middle-aged women under moderate stress shows that daily consumption of 355 ml of grape juice for 12 weeks improves immediate spatial memory and may enhance executive function and verbal recall compared to placebo.

Posologie

Orally: seeds, seed

250 mg

standardized extract, dry extract, juice

Varicose Veins
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The EMA recommends Vitis Vinifera leaves for the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency, characterized by swollen legs, varicose veins, heaviness, pain, fatigue, itching, tension, and cramps in the calves.

Posologie

Orally: leaf, buds, seed

360 - 720 mg

gemmotherapy, dry extract

Hemorrhoids
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The EMA recommends Vitis Vinifera leaves for the symptomatic relief of itching and burning associated with hemorrhoids.

Posologie

Orally: leaf, buds, seed

810 - 1750 mg

powder, gemmotherapy

Spider Veins
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Vitis Vinifera leaves are used for the symptomatic treatment of cutaneous capillary fragility, according to the EMA.

Posologie

Orally: leaf, buds, seed

810 - 1750 mg

powder, gemmotherapy

Rheumatism
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In the treatment of deforming rheumatism, vine buds are used to prevent the development of osteoarthritis. The vine, in association with blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) and pine (Pinus montana), is frequently used in gemmotherapy to combat osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.

Posologie

Orally: buds

50 drops

gemmotherapy