OPC Active the power of grape seeds

What is OPC grape seed extract

OPC, which stands for oligomeric proanthocyanidins, was discovered in 1948 by Jacques Masquelier in a study on the feedability of peanuts and is a very high-quality, purely plant-based vital substance belonging to the polyphenol group. In studies at the time, it was found that the peanuts contained substances that were excellent for treating venous diseases.

Where does our OPC come from?

OPC is found in various plants, such as the seeds, skins and leaves of red grapes, blueberries, in the red skins of peanuts, in coconuts, in ginkgo leaves, apples, larch wood and the bark of maritime pines and pine trees. Although OPC is found in many plants, it has proven to be most economically viable to produce OPC from powdered grape seeds and ground pine bark. As the proportion of grape seeds clearly predominates at 70% and the effect is not distorted, we can call it grape seed extract.

Free radicals in our body

The beginning of many health complaints can be traced back to the influence of free radicals. These attack our cells and can lead to complete functional incapacity or even mutation of a cell. More and more medical scientists are providing evidence that polyphenols (OPC) are responsible for flushing out free radicals.

Does it help with arteriosclerosis?

Poor diet, stress and salt cause cracks in the walls of blood vessels. In the case of arteriosclerosis, these are provisionally repaired by blood fat and calcium deposits. Thanks to its unique structure, OPC has the property of strengthening collagen bonds. Thanks to this property and the thinner blood flow when taking OPC, vessels can be repaired without blood fats and calcium - blockages are prevented. In addition, OPC is said to have long-term elastic blood vessels, which can result in stable and regulated blood pressure.

Does OPC really act as a vitamin C booster?

OPC actually has a 20 x higher antioxidant effect than vitamin C and is up to 50 x stronger than vitamin E (1,2,3). At the same time, the antioxidant vitamins are mutually reinforced by OPC.

The effect of taking OPC and vitamin C at the same time is 10 times stronger.

It is therefore advisable to take OPC together with vitamin C or vitamin E due to this synergistic effect.

When is it best to take it?

It is best to take OPC half an hour before or after meals, otherwise it can bind to proteins in the digestive tract and then no longer be able to develop freely. You should therefore also avoid protein-containing foods when taking it.

Sources and study references:

(1) Res Commun Mol Pathol Pharmacol. 1997 Feb;95(2):179-89. "Oxygen free radical scavenging abilities of vitamins C and E, and a grape seed proanthocyanidin extract in vitro." Bagchi D, Garg A, Krohn RL, Bagchi M, Tran MX, Stohs SJ.

(2) Alexander Rucker, Anne Simons, "Gesund länger leben durch OPC", 7th updated edition 2012, Maya Media Verlag <

(3) Uchida, Edamatsu et. al.: "Condensed tannins scavage active oxygen free radicals", Med. Sci. Res. (15) 1987, pp. 831f.

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