Grapeseed oil or grapeseed oil is a product produced by cold pressing grape seeds left over during wine production. These seeds, because they are small, produce a small amount of oil, requiring approximately 200 kg of grapes to produce 1 liter of oil and, therefore, it is a more expensive vegetable oil compared to other oils.
This type of oil is rich in vitamin E, phenolic compounds and phytosterols, which provide antioxidant properties. Furthermore, it contains polyunsaturated fat, mainly omega 6, which, when combined with a healthy and balanced diet, helps maintain heart health and prevent skin aging.
What is it for
The use of grape oil has increased in recent times due to the fact that it has a pleasant flavor. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that its use could provide several health benefits, the main ones being:
1. Improve cholesterol
Because it is rich in linoleic acid (omega 6), a polyunsaturated fatty acid, grape seed oil could help regulate bad cholesterol (LDL), taking care of heart health.
Furthermore, due to its high vitamin E content, it acts as an antioxidant, preventing the formation of fatty plaques in the arteries and preventing diseases such as heart attack, atherosclerosis and stroke.
2. Moisturize your skin
As it has humectant properties, this oil keeps the skin well hydrated and prevents it from peeling. Furthermore, as it is rich in vitamin E, it prevents the formation of wrinkles, stretch marks, cellulite, scars and premature skin aging.
3. Strengthen and hydrate hair
Grape seed oil is also a powerful moisturizer for hair, which helps prevent split ends, excessive hair loss and fragile, brittle fibers, as well as helping to reduce dandruff and keep the scalp hydrated.
To use on your hair, it is recommended to add a teaspoon of grape oil along with your weekly moisturizing mask or add it when you are going to apply the shampoo to your hair, massaging the scalp well with your fingertips.
4. Prevent chronic diseases
This type of oil is rich in flavonoids, carotenoids, phenolic acid, resveratrol, quercetin, tannins and vitamin E. All of these compounds with antioxidant properties prevent cell damage caused by the formation of free radicals and could exert a neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor, preventing diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s, dementia and some types of cancer.
5. Has an antimicrobial effect
Some studies indicate that grape seed oil has antimicrobial properties, as it contains resveratrol, inhibiting the growth of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus it’s at Escherichia coli.
Does grape seed oil help you lose weight?
Grapeseed oil has no proven effect on weight loss, especially when it is not included in a routine of healthy habits, such as eating well and doing physical activity.
However, using grape oil in small portions per day helps to improve health, balance flora and intestinal transit and reduce inflammation in the body, actions that naturally lead to weight loss.
Nutritional information
The following table provides nutritional information for 1 tablespoon of grape seed oil:
It is important to keep in mind that to have all the benefits mentioned above, grape seed oil must be included in a balanced and healthy diet.
How to use
Grapeseed oil can be purchased in supermarkets, cosmetic or nutrition stores and online stores. It can be found in liquid form or in capsules.
To consume, simply add 1 teaspoon to raw or cooked salads.
This type of oil could be an option for frying or cooking food, because it is quite stable at high temperatures, not producing toxic compounds for the body.
Grape seed capsules
1 to 2 capsules are normally recommended, between 130 to 300 mg per day, of grape seed, for a maximum of 2 months, stopping for about 1 month. However, ideally it should be used in accordance with the guidance of a nutritionist or herbalist.
