grape seed extract + quercetin and vascular function

Written by David Pascoe on October 3, 2005 in grape seed extract with 0 Comments

This article is talking about flow-mediated dilation being improved by GSE – something that is of interest to those at cardio vascular risk. Quercetin can be found in onions, apples, green tea, and black tea.

Effect of Grape Seed Extract and Quercetin on Cardiovascular and Endothelial Parameters in High-Risk Subjects

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, 2004(5): 272–278

Abstract: Grape seed extract (GSE) has in vitro antioxidant activity but whether or not it works in vivo is not clear. In a fully randomised, crossover trial with 4-week treatment periods on 36 men and women with above-average vascular risk, we aimed to demonstrate that 2g/day of GSE (1g of polyphenols) alone, or with 1g/day of added quercetin in yoghurt, favourably alters vascular function, endothelial function, and degree of oxidative damage in comparison to a control yoghurt. GSE alone improved flow-mediated dilatation determined ultrasonically by an absolute 1.1% compared with control. There was no effect of the combination of GSE with quercetin. No other blood or urine measure was altered. Thus sufficient polyphenols from GSE appear to be absorbed to influence endothelial nitric oxide production, and GSE has the potential to favourably influence vascular function.