Grape seed oil

Grape seed oil has become increasingly popular over the years. It is often touted as a particularly healthy oil due to its high content of vitamin E and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Grapeseed oil manufacturers tout all kinds of health benefits including lowering cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of heart disease. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the available scientific research and separate fact from fiction.

What is grapeseed oil and how is it made?

Grapeseed oil is made from the seeds of grapes, which are a by-product of wine production. From a business perspective, producing this oil is a brilliant idea, as wine producers have been stuck with countless tons of this useless waste product for thousands of years. Due to technological advances, oil producers can now extract oil from these seeds and make huge profits.

The oils are usually produced in factories by pressing the seeds and using solvents, with the healthier types of these oils being cold-pressed. Some people are concerned about possible residues of toxic solvents such as hexane, which can have negative effects on health. However, this concern is usually unfounded as virtually all solvents are removed from the finished oil during the manufacturing process. It is still unknown whether traces of hexane in vegetable oils can cause harm to consumers over time, but the environmentally harmful effects of hexane are more worrying. Science is currently focused on developing more environmentally friendly alternatives (1). If a grape seed oil does not explicitly state how it was pressed, then it is likely to have been extracted using chemicals such as hexane. Summary: Grape seed oil is extracted from grape seeds, a waste product of wine production. This process usually involves the use of various chemicals including the toxic solvent hexane.

Grapeseed oil is low in nutrients but high in omega-6 fatty acids

The purported health benefits of grapeseed oil are based on its supposedly high content of nutrients, antioxidants and polyunsaturated fatty acids (2).

The composition of fatty acids in grape seed oil is as follows

Saturated fatty acids: 10%
Monounsaturated fatty acids: 16%
Polyunsaturated fatty acids: 70%

Grape seed oil is very rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are mainly omega-6 fatty acids. However, scientists suspect that a high intake of omega-6 fatty acids relative to the intake of omega-3 fatty acids may promote inflammation in the body (3). This theory is supported by several observational studies linking high intakes of foods containing omega-6 fatty acids to an increased risk of chronic disease (4, 5). However, controlled studies have shown that linolenic acid - the type of omega-6 fatty acid found in grapeseed oil - does not increase inflammatory markers in the blood (6, 7). Whether a high intake of omega-6 fatty acids promotes disease is not yet known. High-quality studies are needed to investigate the effects of omega-6 fatty acids on hard endpoints such as heart disease (8). Grapeseed oil also contains significant amounts of vitamin E. One tablespoon of grapeseed oil provides 3.9 mg of vitamin E, which is 19% of the daily requirement. However, in terms of calories, grapeseed oil is not an impressive source of vitamin E. Apart from this, there are practically no other vitamins or minerals in grape seed oil.

Summary: Grapeseed oil is rich in vitamin E and phenolic antioxidants. It is also a rich source of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. However, scientists suspect that consuming too many omega-6 fatty acids could be harmful.

What effects does grape seed oil have on your health?

Very few studies have investigated the effects of grape seed oil on human health.

A two-month study of 44 overweight or obese women compared the effects of daily consumption of grapeseed oil and sunflower oil on health. Compared to sunflower oil, grapeseed oil improved insulin sensitivity and reduced levels of C-reactive protein, which is a marker of inflammation (9). Grapeseed oil also appeared to have anticoagulant properties, which could reduce the risk of blood clots (10). However, some grapeseed oils contain potentially harmful levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are known to have carcinogenic effects in animals (11). It is not known how widespread this problem is and whether it is a real cause for concern. Other vegetable oils such as sunflower oil may also be contaminated with these chemicals (12). Although there is evidence that high quality grapeseed oils may have some benefits, it is not yet possible to draw any reliable conclusions.

Summary: There is a lack of research on the effects of grapeseed oil on humans. The data currently available suggests that it may inhibit blood clotting and reduce inflammation.

Is grapeseed oil a good oil for cooking and frying?

Grapeseed oil has a moderately high smoke point. For this reason, it is touted as a good choice for frying and deep-frying. However, this could be bad advice as grapeseed oil is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. These fatty acids tend to oxidize when exposed to high heat, forming harmful compounds and free radicals (13, 14). As grapeseed oil contains a very high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids, it is one of the worst oils for frying and deep-frying. The healthiest oils for cooking or frying are oils such as olive oil, which contain mainly saturated or monounsaturated fatty acids, as these fatty acids do not react easily with oxygen when heated. For this reason, you should not use grapeseed oil for cooking. However, you can use it as a salad dressing or as an ingredient for mayonnaise and baked products.

Summary: Grapeseed oil is sensitive to heat and should not be used for frying. However, it can be used as a salad dressing or in baked goods without any problems.

Grapeseed oil as a cosmetic product

Cosmetic manufacturers use grapeseed oil in their skin and hair care products. However, there are no clinical studies that show the effectiveness of grape seed oil in this regard. Nevertheless, many people use grapeseed oil in their personal care arsenal.

Grapeseed oil for healthy skin

Many of the body care benefits of grapeseed oil may be based on its high vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acid content. Free radicals and environmental factors such as sun, wind and pollution can damage the skin. They can increase signs of aging and cause dry skin and skin discoloration. Vitamin E helps to fight free radicals, so it could also help to improve the appearance of the skin when consumed in the diet. The same benefits could come about when it is applied directly to the skin in the form of grape seed oil. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are essential for the function and appearance of the skin. In addition, omega-6 fatty acids are necessary for the proper functioning of the skin barrier. The primary omega-6 fatty acid in grapeseed oil is linolenic acid. This fatty acid may help reduce inflammation of the middle and outer layers of the skin.

Other uses for grapeseed oil include

Improving the moisture of the skin
Healing acne
Reducing the size of pores
Reducing the visibility of scars
Removing makeup

Grapeseed oil penetrates the skin quickly and does not leave an oily feeling. To use grapeseed oil on your face, massage a few drops into clean skin before going to bed. You can repeat this process in the morning if desired. As grapeseed oil does not clog pores, it is suitable for all skin types - including oily skin.

Grapeseed oil for healthy hair

Grapeseed oil can improve the condition of your hair and scalp. If you suffer from dandruff, which is often caused by a dry scalp, applying grapeseed oil to the scalp can help loosen dead skin and moisturize the scalp. There are several oils including olive oil and coconut oil that are good for the hair, but these oils often make the hair appear greasy. Grapeseed oil does not have this effect. When applied to the hair, grapeseed oil gives the hair moisture, strength and shine. To do this, try massaging a few tablespoons of grapeseed oil (the right amount depends on the length of your hair) into your hair and scalp before washing your hair. Grapeseed oil is also used as a natural remedy for hair loss. It is believed that linolenic acid stimulates hair growth. The flavonoids contained in the oil, known as procyanidin oligomers, are powerful antioxidants. In vitro and in vivo studies show that procyanidin oligomers may promote hair growth (15), but further studies are needed to make a definitive statement.

Grape seed oil in aromatherapy

Chronic stress can have devastating effects on your body. It can lead to premature ageing, skin rashes, dry skin, acne and hair loss, among other things. Although grapeseed oil cannot relieve stress on its own, it is a very good carrier oil for aromatherapy and aromatherapy massage. Aromatherapy can help relieve stress and anxiety.

Summary

Grape seed oil is made from grape seeds, which are a waste product of wine production. It is relatively rich in vitamin E and phenolic antioxidants and is a rich source of omega-6 fatty acids. Unfortunately, there is a lack of scientific research, which is why the health benefits of grape seed oil are not yet fully understood. Although there is nothing wrong with using grapeseed oil as a salad dressing or in baked goods, it is not suitable for frying or deep-frying at high temperatures due to its high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

References

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/grape-seed-oil#section5