Benefits And Uses Of Grape Seed Essential Oil

Thanks to its fruity aroma and taste, grape seed oil is widely used to macerate meats and prepare vinaigrettes. It is also valued in cosmetology for its high levels of linoleic acid, an omega 6 fatty acid that can improve skin health.

Extracted from the seeds found in the fruit of the vine, this oil owes its popularity to the high concentrations of chemical compounds it contains. This includes polyunsaturated fats and vitamin E.

How is grape seed essential oil processed? What is your composition? What uses does it have? Discover everything in detail below.

How is the oil extracted?

Grape seed oil is obtained from the seeds of these fruits, considered a by-product of winemaking. For thousands of years, winemakers didn’t know what to do with them. However, the technology allowed them to develop a process in which oil is extracted from seeds.

In this process, seeds are crushed and solvents are used. However, there is a concern with the use of these substances, since some of them, such as hexane, are related to harmful effects on health.

However, solvents tend to disappear in the manufacturing process and there is no scientific evidence that hexane residues in the oil cause short- or long-term damage. Still, the environmental impact can be worrying.

In this regard, make sure that the grapeseed essential oil you buy indicates how it was processed. Otherwise, you must assume it was made with chemicals.

The use of grape seeds is relatively recent, as they have always been considered a by-product that was discarded in the winemaking process.

Grape seed oil composition

According to studies published in Nutrition and Metabolic Insights , the grape seed oil has phenolic and unsaturated fatty acids which give it anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. In general, the fatty acids present in this oil are distributed as follows:

• 10% saturated.
• 16% monounsaturated.
• 70% polyunsaturated.

Most of these polyunsaturated fats are made up of omega 6. Studies have shown it to be linked to increased inflammation in the body compared to omega 3.

This has also been reported in other research that links a high intake of omega 6 fatty acids with an increased risk of developing chronic disease. However, there is scientific evidence that linoleic acid does not alter blood levels of inflammatory markers.

In this context, it is not possible to guarantee that a diet rich in omega 6 acids is the cause of pathologies. More research is still needed to produce conclusive results.

On the other hand, grape seed oil is also a source of vitamin E. A single tablespoon of 3.9 milligrams represents 19% of the recommended daily intake.

What other uses does it have?

While grape seed oil is known to improve skin health, fight acne, treat oily skin, and rejuvenate tissue, these aren’t its only uses. It can also be used in cooking and aromatherapy. Let’s see more details below:

In the kitchen

Because it has a high smoke point, grape seed oil can be used for frying and sautéing. However, this is not recommended as it is a source of polyunsaturated fats.

According to a study published in Vascular Pharmacology, these types of fats tend to react unfavorably to oxygen at high temperatures, creating harmful compounds and free radicals.

So avoid using this oil for frying and instead use it as a salad dressing, add it to mayonnaise and roasts, or use it to marinate meat.

in aromatherapy

Chronic stress can trigger a range of serious skin problems, including acne, hair loss, dry skin, rashes, and even premature aging.

Fortunately, aromatherapy is known to calm anxiety. Grapeseed oil is believed to be able to serve as a carrier or base oil in this practice, as well as in sessions that include massage.

Possible Risks of Grape Seed Oil

For those who are not allergic to this oil, the risks are few when it is applied to the skin. If you don’t know if you are allergic or not, just do a simple test that consists of applying a little oil to a part of the body, such as your wrists or ankles, and wait 24 hours. If after this time there is no reaction (spots or rash), it means that the skin is able to tolerate it.

However, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), grape seed oil may not be recommended for people suffering from blood disorders, undergoing surgery, and taking anticoagulants such as warfarin .

In addition, research published in the Journal of the American Oil Chemists Society found that some grape seed oils can have harmful levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a group of more than 100 chemicals known to be carcinogenic in animals. For now, these effects have not been evidenced in humans.

Allergic people, people with blood disorders and those taking anticoagulants should not use this oil.

Not everyone can use grape seed oil

Grapeseed oil comes from the seeds found in the fruits of the vine. These are a by-product of winemaking, so to make the oil you have to crush them and use a solvent.

There are those who disagree with this process as they consider it unhealthy, although there is no conclusive evidence that solvents can harm the body.

As for its benefits, they are related to improving skin health, from fighting acne and treating dry skin to reducing dark circles and tissue rejuvenation. Its uses, in addition to cosmetics, include gastronomy and aromatherapy.

However, not everyone can use this oil. If you are allergic, suffer from a blood disease, undergo surgery or take anticoagulant medications, you should avoid their consumption and topical use.