Muscadine Grapes also known by their botanical name Vitis vinifera have been associated with a paramount of medicinal properties for thousands of years. The Muscadine grapes have their roots of birth in the United States. The Muscadine grapes are better known as the America’s hidden powerhouse because of its ability to deliver instant energy. Apart from being the much savored variety of natural pearl bunches of fruit it is also vastly consumed in the world in the form of seeds. Ancient Europeans produced ointments derived from the sap of the grapevines to treat skin and eye diseases. Muscadine Grape leaves also were used to stop bleeding, inflammation and pains such as the ones associated with hemorrhoids. Raw forms of grapes were used to treat sore throats and raisins (dried form of grapes) were used to treat constipation and to quench thirst. The Muscadine grapes were also used to heal a wide range of diseases that included cancer, cholera, smallpox, nausea, eye infections and skin, kidney and liver diseases. Amongst all the other parts of the Muscadine grape that have umpteen medicinal properties the grape seeds are one of the greatest source of antioxidants known as oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs). They also are characterized by large concentrations of vitamin E, flavonoids and linoleic acid. These antioxidants destroy free radicals that are harmful compounds in the body that damage DNA (Deoxyribose nucleic acid †genetic material) and in certain cases cause cell death. Free radicals are also known to be responsible for aging and a number of other health problems like heart disease and cancer. These OPC’s also promote healthy blood circulation. Muscadine grape seed extracts are rich in polyphenols that are characterized with high concentrations of antioxidants. Research has shown that OPCs are more powerful antioxidants than vitamin C, E and beta carotene. While vitamin C, E and beta carotene were the only sources of antioxidants before the discovery of OPCs from Muscadine grape seed extracts, they were not as powerful against free radical damage and used to be excreted from the body within a short period of ingestion. Muscadine grape seed extract, on the other hand, is known to remain in the body for as long as 3 days, is 20 times more effective than vitamin C and 50 times stronger than vitamin E. Following are the benefits of Muscadine grape seed extracts: - A polyphenolic compound found in the Muscadine grape seed extract is shown to interfere with cancer cell growth and proliferation and also bring about apoptosis (cell death) among a range of potential chemopreventive effects. - It may also have beneficiary effects against HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) by inhibiting its expression and replication in the host. - It helps improve cardiovascular health. - It enhances development of brain, skin and eye health. - They have anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. - Muscadine Grape seed is one of the very few antioxidants that can penetrate the blood brain barrier to prohibit the damage in brain and nerve tissue. - Some studies have shown grape seed extracts to prevent plaque formation in the arteries. - It helps improve mental alertness and prevents senility. - It offers vascular endothelial growth factor thus accelerating wound healing abilities. - The phenolic compounds present in the seeds may inhibit oral sugar metabolism that suppress the growth of certain bacteria causing dental caries. - It has shown to considerably reduce malignancy of papillomas and consequently prevent skin cancer. - They are also known to provide protection against carcinogenesis and have sunscreen properties thus protecting the skin from the harmful ultraviolet (uv) rays. These are the innumerous benefits of Muscadine grape seed providing a natural supplement to a healthy living.
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