Grapeseed Oil: Benefits And Uses For Skin, Hair, And Health

Grapeseed oil is a by-product of the winemaking industry, and studies state its beneficial effects on human health. There has been numerous evidence suggesting the oil’s anticancer and cardioprotective benefits (1).

The actual constituents of the oil responsible for these effects are present only in smaller amounts, and one may be required to consume the oil in large amounts to avail the benefits (1).

In this post, we will explore what research says about the oil and its impact on health.

What Is Grapeseed Oil?

Grapeseed oil is pressed from the seeds of grapes. The oil is hence a by-product of winemaking.

The oil has been in existence for over 6,000 years. The Europeans used the oil to treat diseases related to skin and eye. Since the turn of the 20th century, grapeseed oil started garnering attention from scientists and researchers.

Though grapeseeds are rich in nutrients, certain studies state that it is not the case with the oil. Most antioxidants, including the proanthocyanidins from the grapeseeds, were not present in the oil (2).

Does taking grapeseed oil do you any good? Research has some interesting findings.

What Are The Health Benefits Of Grapeseed Oil?

There is some evidence that high levels of omega-6 fatty acids in grapeseed oil may promote heart health. The oil also has antioxidant properties that may help boost skin health.

1. May Fight Inflammation And Boost General Health

As per a study, consumption of grapeseed oil seems to improve inflammatory conditions and insulin resistance in overweight and obese women (3).

Grapeseed oil also contains omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. There is consistent evidence that higher levels of omega-6 in the blood or adipose tissue are associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (4).

The phenolic compounds present in grapeseed oil and grapeseed extracts have antioxidant properties, which are associated with the removal of free radicals and chelation of metals. This activity influences cell signaling and the functioning of the immune system (1).

2. May Be Beneficial For Cooking

The use of grapeseed oil while cooking pork patties was found to reduce the formation of heterocyclic amines, which are potent carcinogens (5). These amines are usually formed when meat, poultry, or fish are cooked at high temperatures (including frying or barbecuing) (6).

However, more research is warranted to understand how safe or beneficial grapeseed oil could be for cooking.

3. May Boost Skin Health

Grapeseed oil contains antioxidant properties that may help minimize signs of skin aging, including fine lines and wrinkles. The oil is also light and can be used as a moisturizer without leaving the skin feeling too oily. The anti-inflammatory properties of the oil may also aid acne treatment (7).

In rat studies, grapeseed oil could also help accelerate wound healing. However, the effect of direct topical application of grapeseed oil on human skin is not well investigated yet (8).

4. May Promote Hair Health

One small study states the potential ability of grapeseed oil in helping treat androgenetic alopecia. The oil was considered a possible alternative treatment for the condition as it could improve scalp blood flow (9).

In a rat study, the proanthocyanidins extracted from grape seeds exhibited hair growth-promoting activity. The compounds in the oil could have potential use as agents to induce hair growth (10).

5. May Help With Sexual Health

There is some research stating that the proanthocyanidins in grape seeds could enhance vaginal blood flow (11). However, more research is warranted in this regard.

The nutritional profile of the oil tells you more about what the oil consists of. This should give you a better idea of its benefits. We will explore in the following section.

What Is The Nutrition Profile Of Grapeseed Oil?

Values sourced from USDA, oil, grapeseed

Your daily values may be higher or lower, depending on your calorie needs.

Apart from what we discussed, grapeseed oil has other potential uses. However, these are not backed by sufficient evidence.

What Are The Other Uses Of Grapeseed Oil?

Grapeseeds (especially their extracts) were reported to have certain other benefits. These warrant further research. There also is little information if the benefits of the extracts can be extrapolated to the oil.

• Grapeseed extract was found to reduce postprandial blood glucose levels in healthy people. This could be a useful strategy to prevent diabetes development in a healthy population (12).
• Naturally occurring phytochemicals, as in the case of grapeseed extracts, could also be potentially used in cancer treatment. However, we need more studies to determine the safety, especially to establish any toxicity associated with long-term administration of grapeseed extract (13).
• In a clinical study, subjects who were supplemented orally with a formulation containing grape seed extract rich in flavonols showed better skin firmness and a reduction of dark circles, redness, and spots in women with dull complexion (14).

Despite these uses, we do not recommend grapeseed oil to everybody. The oil has certain contraindications.

What Are The Side Effects Of Grapeseed Oil?

Certain common side effects of grapeseed extract include nausea, itching, stomach upset, headache, dizziness, and sore throat (15). It can also cause reactions in those with known hypersensitivity (15).

The extract can also interact with medications potentially metabolized by the liver. It may interact with blood thinners, NSAID painkillers like aspirin, certain heart medications, and cancer treatments (15).

Due to a lack of evidence on safety, grape seed extract is not recommended for children, and pregnant and breastfeeding women (15).

Grapeseed oil is high in omega-6 fatty acids (4). It is vital to understand that omega-6s by themselves are not bad. They are required for overall health. The omega-3s and omega-6s we get from our diets compete with each other for their biosynthetic enzymes (16).

But a high omega-6 fatty acid intake and a high omega-6/omega-3 ratio have been associated with weight gain in both animal and human studies (16).

Most types of commercially available grapeseed oil are processed. They are made using chemical solvents like hexane, which is considered a neurotoxin (17), (18).

If you do not want to use grapeseed oil, you can substitute it with canola (rich in monounsaturated fatty acids that are good for the heart), coconut (rich in lauric acid that has immune-boosting effects), or sesame (rich in antioxidants that help lower blood pressure) oils.

But if you want to go ahead with grapeseed oil, do keep in mind the dosage. Though there is no specified amount, some anecdotal evidence suggests 100 to 300 milligrams of the oil a day. However, more research is warranted to establish a safe dosage.

What Are The Best Types Of Grapeseed Oil?

Grapeseed oil is a leftover by-product of the winemaking process. The wine is made by pressing the juice out of the fruit and leaving the seeds behind. These seeds are then crushed, and the oil is extracted from them.

This extraction of the oil can happen either by cold-pressing (the seeds are pressed with a modern steel press) or by introducing chemical solvents and heating it at extremely high temperatures.

The oil contains fat, and heating it may turn it into bad fat. The oil’s molecular composition changes. It turns rancid and has undesirable effects.

Hence, you need to choose that grape seed oil that is the least processed. Make sure you get an organic, cold-pressed, solvent-free brand. Look for the indication on the bottle.

Where To Buy Grapeseed Oil?

If you are looking for organic grape seed oil, you can buy it here.

Conclusion

Much of the research on grapeseed oil is not concrete yet, and more studies are warranted to establish clear benefits. Though it has some healthy fats, excess intake of omega-6 fatty acids may lead to weight gain in the long run.

You may go for grapeseed oil once in a while (ensure you are picking the cold-pressed variant). The oil may also interact with certain medications. Hence, if you are on any medication, please check with your doctor before ingesting the oil.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deep-fry in grapeseed oil?

Yes, grapeseed oil is a good option for deep-frying as it has a high smoke point. But it may not be the best choice in terms of health benefits.

Do I need to refrigerate grapeseed oil?

You do not have to refrigerate it. Even if you do, it may not cloud-like the other oils.

What does grapeseed oil smell like?

The oil has a nutty aroma with a slight hint of sweetness.

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Reviewer Author

Dr. Scott JohnsonAMP, CCMA, CEEOS, CPC

 

Dr. Scott A. Johnson is a Board Certified Alternative Medical Practitioner, Certified Elite Essential Oil Specialist, and Certified Clinical Master Aromatherapist with 7 years of experience. As one of the most prolific natural medicine writers of the 21st century, Dr.

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Ravi Teja TadimallaSenior Editor

 

Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a senior editor and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over eight years. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University.

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