Grape seeds are considered waste. In everyday life, they are simply thrown out as unnecessary. However, on the shelves of supermarkets, you can often find a product produced from these “waste” – oil and grape seed meal.
Naturally, the question arises: what is so useful grape seeds, if they began to produce food and dietary supplements? Who can I recommend grape seed products to? And are there any contraindications?
Chemical composition of grape seeds
Contents
According to scientific research, the pulp of grapes contains no more than 10% of nutrients. The main supply of useful substances (about 90%) is present in the bones of wine berries.
Anyone who tried to eat grapes with seeds as a child probably remembers their astringent, bitter taste and light nutty smell. What is the richness of this unfit for food component? It includes:
- Fiber.
- Squirrels.
- Fats.
- Fatty acids.
- Tanning agent.
- Organic acid.
- Amino acid.
- Chlorophyll.
- The phytosterols.
- Vitamins: A, B1, B2, B5, B6, B9, B12, C, D2, E, K, PP.
- Calcium.
- Potassium.
- Magnesium.
- Sodium.
- Iron.
- Iodine.
- Manganese.
- Cobalt.
- Fluorine.
- Copper.
- Selenium.
- Zinc.
Grapes and seeds
The benefits obtained from the seed of a wine berry are due to its rich mineral and vitamin composition.
Coarse dietary fiber cleanses the intestinal walls of mucus, slags and toxins. Linoleic acid actively affects the biological processes occurring in the body.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids have a positive effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Active antioxidants improve the condition of the epidermis, nails and hair. Tannins have a healing and anti-inflammatory effect.
Organic acids, which have a diuretic and choleretic effect, stimulate metabolic processes. Amino acids affect the production of enzymes necessary for high-quality metabolism and cell renewal in the body.
Chlorophyll acts as a natural antibiotic and antiseptic. Thanks to it, the body accelerates the processes of healing and tissue renewal. Improves the condition of the skin, hair and nails.
Phytosterols regulate the hormonal background of the body. This component protects men from developing prostate adenoma. The benefit for women is to prevent early menopause.
Fresh seeds
Due to the use of food products made from grape seeds, the following processes occur in the body:
- Blood composition improves.
- Blood vessels are cleaned, the process of blockage formation is prevented.
- Reduces the fragility of blood vessels.
- Eliminates unhealthy puffiness.
- Heavy metal salts and excess cholesterol are eliminated from the body.
- The heart muscle is strengthened and the risk of cardiovascular diseases is reduced.
- Prevents the occurrence of varicose veins and hemorrhoids.
- The epithelial layer of the skin is renewed.
- The aging process slows down.
Products made from grape seeds are successfully used in cosmetology. Finely ground seed (meal) can be used as a gentle scrub. Oil extracted from the seed, and added to cosmetics (lotions, creams), gives a stunning effect.
The skin of the face gets a healthy color, elasticity and velvety. The grape component not only nourishes it with useful substances, but also provides sufficient moisture.
This skin care provides a great advantage: along with the fact that fine facial wrinkles are smoothed out, the skin aging process slows down.
Do I need to mention that the oil obtained by pressing grape seeds is widely used in cooking? There are many recipes in which this product is used.
Grape seed oil
It gives a piquant taste to cold appetizers and hot dishes. Along with this, it is used for cooking vegetable and fruit salads. The product can withstand high temperatures, but due to the high price, it is not advisable to use it for roasting products.
The product will bring much more benefits as part of a salad dressing or sauce. In order to improve the taste of your favorite salad or vinaigrette, it is enough to adopt the habit of experimenting in your own kitchen.
The original recipe for salad dressing will not only help to diversify your diet. The use of natural oil will simultaneously give you a gastronomic pleasure to saturate the body with useful components.
The recipe for a versatile salad dressings
Ingredients:
- Grape seed oil – 5 tablespoons.
- Fruit vinegar (Apple or grape) – 1.5 tablespoons.
- French mustard – 1 teaspoon.
- Salt – 1⁄2 tsp.
- Ground pepper (optional) – 1⁄2 tsp.
To prepare the dressing, just put all the ingredients in a Cup and mix everything until smooth using a blender or mixer. Vinegar in the recipe can optionally be replaced with lemon or lime juice.
This dressing will add piquancy not only to salads and vinaigrettes. It can be used as a sauce for grilled meat.
PossPossible harm and contraindications
product, even a very useful one, has its limitations. What is useful in moderation can cause damage to health if you neglect the norms. Grape seeds cannot be an independent product.
Moreover, they can not be consumed in unlimited quantities. Even when using food products made from these raw materials, it is necessary to remember that there are some restrictions. The product must not be consumed under the following conditions:
- Allergic reaction (skin rashes, itching) to the product.
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, stomach ulcer, duodenitis).
- Disorder of bowel functions, flatulence.
- Liver and kidney failure.
- Calculous cholecystitis.
- Calcareous deposits in the kidneys.
- Pregnancy.