CONTENTS

• How is grape seed oil produced?
• Grape seed oil – nutritional content
• Grape seed oil – properties and effects on the body
• What's wrong with grape seed oil?
• Summary

We're currently experiencing a veritable boom in vegetable oils of all kinds. They're made from increasingly interesting raw materials, each unique in its own way. Not only in terms of taste, smell, or appearance, but also in its nutritional properties. Each raw material from which the oil is pressed has slightly different proportions of chemical compounds—especially fatty acids and active ingredients. In this article, we'll focus on discussing the properties of grape seed oil. Could it surprise us in a positive way, or is it just a typical production waste? We invite you to read on.

How is grape seed oil produced?

Today, the technology and processes for extracting various oils have advanced to the point that a high oil content of the raw material is no longer a prerequisite. In fact, grape seed oil has the characteristics of a waste product, as it is usually extracted from the seeds left over from the production of grape wine. Practically since the first wines were made by humans, grape seeds have been simply discarded. Therefore, grape seed oil is a relatively new product. The crushed seeds undergo the extraction process. High temperatures and numerous organic solvents are required for this process to take place. The efficiency of the oil extraction process using conventional methods is very low. However, it is important to note that the most valuable grape seed oil is cold-pressed only by mechanical means. Like other cold-pressed oils, it contains many more nutrients. However, the low efficiency of this process significantly increases the price of the resulting oil. Interestingly, despite its smoke point of 216 degrees Celsius, this oil is not very suitable for frying. This is due to its chemical composition. It contains mainly polyunsaturated fatty acids, which react poorly to high temperatures or direct exposure to air. When used for frying, numerous harmful substances can be produced. It should also be noted that fats commonly used for frying should contain up to 15% polyunsaturated fatty acids. This oil, on the other hand, contains almost 70%.

Grape seed oil – nutritional content

Grape seed oil is visually almost indistinguishable from other popular vegetable oils. It has a light yellow color, is transparent, and contains no sediment. Its flavor is very mild; one could even say this oil is tasteless. The smell is also barely noticeable. 100 grams of grape seed oil contains approximately 880 kcal. This means that its energy value is no different from other popular oils. It consists almost exclusively of fatty acids, with the largest proportion being:

• Unsaturated linoleic acid, which belongs to the omega-6 acids – about 69%
• Unsaturated oleic acid, which belongs to the Omega-9 acids – about 16%
• Saturated palmitic acid – about 7%
• Saturated stearic acid – about 4%
• Unsaturated palmitoleic acid, which belongs to the omega-7 acids – about 1%
• Unsaturated alpha-linolenic acid, which belongs to the omega-3 acids – about 0.1%

In addition, grape seed oil contains various phenols and plant sterols. Also worth mentioning is its high content of vitamin E and tocopherols. In addition to their beneficial effects on our body, these compounds also provide stability to the oil itself. As powerful antioxidants, they slow down the processes of oil oxidation that impair the properties of fats.

Grape seed oil – properties and effects on the body

Grape seed oil, thanks to its high content of vitamin E and tocopherols, can influence the regulation of blood cholesterol levels . Furthermore, thanks to its antioxidant properties, it can help protect our cells from the harmful effects of free radicals, which cause various diseases, including cancer, and accelerate the aging process. It also has a positive effect on the functioning of our nervous system. Thanks to its high content of unsaturated fatty acids, it has a significant impact on the functions of the cardiovascular system. It can have cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects, as well as slightly reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. Due to its beneficial effects on our skin, it is also used as an ingredient in cosmetics. It can help reduce wrinkles and also act against acne. It is also a good addition to all kinds of hair masks. It will significantly improve their condition, reduce brittleness, and moisturize the scalp.

What's wrong with grape seed oil?

The first thing that catches the eye when analyzing the composition of grape seed oil is its high content of omega-6 fatty acids. There's nothing wrong with that, but the devil is in the details. For almost every oil, the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids is very important. The recommended ratios range from 1:1 to 10:1. Unfortunately, the latter is far too low in this oil. All this means that the actual proportions are around 700:1. Furthermore, it's important to remember that both fatty acid groups use almost the same metabolic pathways, and their proper balance is very important. In this case, the amount of omega-6 fatty acids is far too high, which can lead to a significant deficiency in the latter. Therefore, it's important to remember that this oil shouldn't be the sole source of fat in the diet, but rather as an accompaniment to dishes. Another problem may be that grape seed oil is considered a good source of the substances naturally found in grapes. Unfortunately, this is the wrong way of thinking. Resveratrol and other chemical compounds found in fruits, especially those with antioxidant properties, are not fat-soluble and therefore will not be found in this oil.

Grape seed oil – risks

Due to the unfavorable ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 acids, excessive consumption of grape seed oil can pose many potential dangers. In this case, an overdose of omega-6 fatty acids is quite possible, and one should be aware that, in addition to their beneficial effects on our bodies, they can also be harmful—especially in excess. First, they can impair the function of our immune system and increase inflammation. This is particularly dangerous for the heart, but also for the entire cardiovascular system. Furthermore, they can increase the risk of atherosclerosis and some types of cancer. Chronic inflammation can also negatively impact body weight due to hormonal and lipid dysregulation. It also impairs thyroid function and impairs the production of sex hormones. It can also manifest itself in mood disorders and general weakness of the body.

Summary

There's certainly a lot of good to say about grape seed oil , but also a lot of bad. It certainly doesn't belong in the group of popular superfoods. The biggest problem, of course, is the unfavorable ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 acids. If you decide to use it anyway, remember that it shouldn't be the only source of fat in your diet. It's much better to use it simply as an additive—in small amounts. It's best to choose the unrefined version, which is pressed using mechanical methods.