Chief in the debate is grapeseed oil, an oil made from the seeds of grapes used in winemaking. While its consumption makes sense from a sustainability standpoint (we’re all about eliminating food waste wherever possible!), is it healthy? Turns out, the answer is complicated. Let’s get to the bottom of things. Here’s where it gets complicated. “Linoleic acid is typically converted to gamma-linoleic acid once we digest it and gamma-linoleic can have beneficial properties, like lowering cholesterol and inflammation especially when it is converted to DGLA,” says Robert Graham, M.D., the founder of FRESH Med NYC. According to one study1, “The polyphenols present in grapeseed oil are able to inhibit the release of arachidonic acid (AA), responsible for the production of leukotrienes and prostaglandins, which in turn activates the inflammatory response.” Unfortunately, there isn’t much research on grapeseed oil directly. “One study2 showed it improved high-sensitive C-reactive protein (an inflammatory marker) and insulin resistance in overweight/obese women,” says Pedre. “However, the study was poorly done because they compared grapeseed oil to another high-omega-6 oil—sunflower oil. It would have been a better study to compare the intake of grapeseed oil versus cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil.” Other studies3 point to anti-inflammatory effects of grapeseed extract’s high vitamin E content. “Grapeseed extracts have also been shown to have anti-cancer properties by inhibiting proliferation and inducing cell death in colon cancer cells due to their phenolic compounds, like proanthocyanidins,” says Pedre. “However, in-vitro studies are well-controlled environments that may not translate to how the oil behaves in-vivo. And grapeseed oil is not the same as an extract.” As for the con? “Most grapeseed oils are processed in factories using solvents to extract the oil. A common solvent used is hexane, which is a toxic substance for the body,” says Pedre. “Manufacturers may argue this is found in trace amount in the final product, but the problem is these solvents are fat-soluble, and thus bio-accumulate in the fatty tissues of the body, where they remain for years.” Inexpensive grapeseed oil can also often be found in plastic bottles, which can leech microparticles into the oils and allow light in, which causes even the healthy elements to degrade.
