Grapeseed organic oil is extracted from the seeds of grapes, typically from wine grapes. The seeds are actually believed to be the healthiest part of the grape as they are filled with numerous antioxidants and natural plant compounds that can help prevent chronic diseases.

The oil is primarily used for two broad purposes - in cosmetics and culinary applications. Grapeseed oil can be classified as a cooking oil but be sure that it is marked as such, that is as a food grade oil when you are purchasing it since it has a very high smoking point which is good for frying, and even to supplement dressing or sauces.

Besides that, it is also popularly used in cosmetics like sunscreen, moisturizing cream and other products. Read on to find out more!

Health Benefits of Grapeseed Organic Oil:

1. Promotes Hair Health

Grapeseed oil is great for moisturizing and conditioning the hair, thus making it useful for those who have dry, brittle and tangled hair. It makes your hair smooth, without leaving your hair too greasy as it is lighter than coconut or olive oils. It also does not give off a lingering odor.

Not only that, the oil helps to tame frizziness and prevent split ends as it locks moisture in your hair, preventing it from being too dry. Additionally, it helps prevent hair loss as it is able to strengthen the hair roots and hair follicles and gets rid of dandruff, which is characterized by dry, flaky scalp as it is filled with emollients and nutrients that are especially nourishing for the scalp and hair.

You can coat your hair with the oil, leave it to set for 10 minutes and then proceed to rinse it off with cold water. Since it is also a mild carrier-based oil, it is safe enough to be applied directly onto the scalp. Thus, if you have flaky scalp, try rubbing the oil onto your scalp in circular motions as you allow the oil to be absorbed.

2. Promotes Skin Health

Due to the presence of various antioxidants in the oil, such as vitamin E and moisturizing essential fatty acids, grapeseed oil is also great for promoting the overall health of your skin. Firstly, it can help fight off free radical damages and oxidative stress, thus preventing the onset and formation of wrinkles, age spots and fine lines, as cited in a 2011 study published in Pharmacognosy Review.

Its astringent properties are also helpful in strengthening and firming up the skin, thus improving elasticity and preventing loose, sagging skin. As such, grapeseed oil makes for an excellent carrier oil for prior dilution with essential oils to promote a healthy and youthful glow for your skin!

Not only that, grapeseed oil is a great absorbent as it absorbs directly into the skin, without leaving the surface of your skin feeling too greasy or oily. As such, it seeks to moisturize and nourish the skin from deep within, thus promoting cell regeneration and repair. This hence helps to maintain your skin’s overall complexion, and to promote a much healthier skin.

3. Boosts Immune System

Grapeseed oil contains a high amount of vitamin E (double that of olive oil!), which is an important antioxidant that helps to promote your immune system and boosts it immensely. Vitamin E has various beneficial effects on the host immune system, as it increases cellular immunity and facilitates a faster healing process whenever there are damages or abnormalities within the body.

Thus, according to a 2000 study conducted by researchers from Yamaguchi Prefectural University in Japan, they concluded that vitamin E is undoubtedly an important nutrient for the smooth maintenance of the immune system, especially in the aged, to prevent the onset of a whole range of diseases.

4. Helps to Lower Inflammation and Cholesterol Levels

The omega-6 fatty acid, also known as linoleic acid, in grapeseed oil may potentially be converted to gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) in the body, which has protective roles to play in the body. For example, it can help to lower cholesterol levels and inflammation in the body, since polyunsaturated fats are classified as the “good” kind of fats.

For example, a 2000 study published in the Journal of Medicine found that grape seed extracts can actually lower total cholesterol and LDL levels (“bad” cholesterol levels) significantly. Another 2013 study published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition found that consumption of grapeseed oil seems to improve inflammatory condition and insulin resistance in overweight women.

5. Can Potentially Help to Prevent Cancer

Additionally, the numerous antioxidant and proanthocyanidins in grape seed oil may have cancer-preventive effects as it inhibits the growth and spread of dangerous cancer cells.

A 2012 study published in Cancer Letters states that grape seed extract is able to target colorectal cancer cells and selectively induced apoptotic death (cell death) in them, thus potentially serving as a multi-targeted colorectal cancer cell therapeutics.

Additionally, a 2008 study conducted by researchers from the Innsbruck Medical University in Austria notes that the compounds extracted from grape seeds exhibited anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects in prostate cancer cells.

How to Use Grapeseed Organic Oil?

Grapeseed oil is a carrier oil, thus it is mild enough to be applied directly onto your skin and hair to promote skin and hair health. You can even add it into essential oils for dilution to form a massage blend that is safe and gentle enough to be applied topically. Alternatively, a few drops of the oil can be added into your skincare and haircare products.

Safety Precautions:

• If you are allergic to grapes, avoid using this oil at all costs.

• If you have pre-existing medical conditions or are under prescribed drugs, such as anticoagulant drugs, blood thinning medications and medications to lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels, do consult your doctor prior to using this oil internally for medicinal purposes as it might interact with your prescribed drugs to produce unwanted consequences.

• Do consume the oil in mild dosages.

• Not enough research has been done on the safety of the oil on pregnant and nursing women, so do consult your doctor before proceeding to use this oil.

References:

Radava R. Korac and Kapil M. Khambholja, “Potential of herbs in skin protection from ultraviolet radiation”, Pharmacognosy Review (2011); 5(10)

Moriguchi S, Muraga M, “Vitamin E and immunity”, PubMed (2000)

Preuss HG, et al., “Effects of niacin-bound chromium and grape seed proanthocyanidin extract on the lipid profile of hypercholesterolemic subjects: a pilot study”, Journal of Medicine (2000); 31(5-6)

Irandoost P, Ebrahimi-Mameghani M, Pirouzpanah S, “Does grape seed oil improve inflammation and insulin resistance in overweight or obese women?”, International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition (2013); 64(6)

Molly Derry, et al., “Differential Effects of Grape Seed Extract against Human Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines: The Intricate Role of Death Receptors and Mitochondria”, Cancer Letters (2012)

Neuwirt H, et al., “Oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPC) exert anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects on prostate cancer cells”, PubMed (2008); 68(15)