When to take Grape Seed Extract | PlanYourVitamins.com

What is grape seed extract good for?

Short answer: Grape seed extract has potential benefits for antioxidants, bone health, cancer prevention, inflammation, wound healing and cardiovascular health.

Grape seed extract, often simply abbreviated as GSE, is a supplement extracted from, yes, you guessed it, the seeds of grapes. It is incredibly rich in antioxidants, and is being studied for its role in protecting against oxidative stress and inflammation, and its ability to promote the repair of damaged tissue.

Role in cancer prevention

In vitro studies have found that grape seed extract can inhibit the growth cancer cells in a variety of types of cancer, including breast, stomach, colon, prostate, and lung cancer, and the antioxidants found in grape seed extract could even help reduce the risk of developing cancer in the first place.

Benefits for bone & joint health

Grape seed extract is also being studied for its role in bone health. For example, flavonoid consumption is thought to improve collagen synthesis, which in turn is conductive to bone formation, and grape seed extract is a particularly rich source of flavonoids, meaning that grape seed extract supplementation could increase bone strength and bone density.

Some animal studies have found that adding grape seed extract to a diet significantly reduces pain and joint damage in mice suffering from osteoarthritis by improving collagen levels, and therefore reducing the degradation of important joint cartilage.

Benefits for wound healing

Other animal studies have found that grape seed extract aids in other types of tissue repair in which collagen synthesis is also a key factor, such as wound healing. Grape seed extract contains high levels of proanthocyanidins, and it is these compounds specifically that are thought to encourage skin growth.

When should I take grape seed extract?

Short answer: Grape seed extract is best taken on an empty stomach, at least 2 hours since the last meal and at least 30 minutes before the next meal.

There does not seem to be any conclusive research that indicates a best time of day for taking grape seed extract, so feel free to take it at any time of day, however on study did find that taking it on an empty stomach proved more beneficial than taking it with a meal.

What does grape seed extract combine well with?

Short answer: Grape Seed Extract has been shown to work well together with chromium, fish oil, krill oil, milk thistle extract, omega-3 and resveratrol.

Grape seed extract with milk thistle extract

In addition to the anticancer properties that are naturally observed in grape seed extract itself, it has been found to have even further anticancer effects when combined with milk thistle extract. One animal study showed a significant inhibition in the growth of lung tumors when both extracts were combined, with no documented side effects.

Grape seed extract with resveratrol

Grape seed extract was also found to have a potent effect against colon cancer when it was taken in combination with with resveratrol.

Grape seed extract with omega-3

In terms of cardiovascular health, grape seed extract has also been found to combine well with omega-3 fatty acids to regulate insulin, leptin and triglyceride levels.

Grape seed extract with chromium

Also, a study of 40 people with high cholesterol levels found that taking grape seed extract together with chromium for two months lowered cholesterol levels (total and LDL, or bad cholesterol) much more than either the placebo group, or the group that took grape seed extract alone.

What should I avoid taking grape seed extract with?

Short answer: Avoid taking grape seed extract supplements at the same time as lactobacillus acidophilus, vitamin C or blood thinners.

Avoid with lactobacillus acidophilus probiotics

It is recommended to not take grape seed extract at the same time as taking lactobacillus acidophilus probiotics, as grape seed extract is known to inhibit the growth of the lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria, so you should take these two supplements at least two hours apart.

Avoid with vitamin C

It is also recommended to avoid taking grape seed extract together with vitamin C, as this combination could potentially raise blood pressure to excessive levels, especially if your blood pressure is already above average.

Grape seed extract may act as a blood thinner, and could increase the risk of bleeding or bruising if taken with blood-thinning medication, so it is advisable to take them at least three hours apart.

Grape Seed Extract data sources & further reading

Last updated by Asklepios on 30th January, 2025