OPC is extracted from the pressed black grape seed, which has a water and fiber percentage of 80%, and its energy value is 69 calories per 100 grams.
As we explained in the previous article, OPC is an interesting antioxidant, with many properties for the body.
The resulting OPC, as we have analyzed, acts as a powerful antioxidant of the cells of our body, so that it protects our body from the action of free radicals (and, consequently, from cell aging), in addition to promoting blood circulation. more fluid (Lian, Nie, Zhang, Tan, Cao and Chen, 2016).
This is so because among the components of the OPC it is worth highlighting tannins, proteins, carotenoids and Vitamins (A, B, C, K, D and E). Likewise, and due to its content in Potassium, Iron, Phosphorus and Calcium, it is considered as an important molecular compound to prevent hypertension and anemia (Ravindranathan, Pasham, Balaji, Cardenas, Gu and Toden, 2018).
Let’s see, in more detail, what function these components have that, jointly, the OPC has.
WHAT IS THE OPC COMPOSED OF?
Per se, the OPC has some defining components (Toden, Ravindranathan, Gu, Cardenas, Yuchang and Goel, 2018; González, Gil, Ginés, Beltrán, Pinent and Ardévol, 2019):
- Tannins: highly recommended for intestinal problems, due to their astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. They have antioxidant properties, help prevent premature aging, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, tannins have been shown to have antiseptic action against bacteria, fungi and viruses, so they are used as disinfectants and protectors against different microorganisms.
- Proteins: they are essential macronutrients, which we acquire through food. In our body, they have essential functions, which enable it to function properly and balanced. They are responsible for the formation of tissues, transport vitamins, and defend us against intrusive organisms that could make us sick.
- Carotenoids: organic pigments that are found naturally in plants and other organisms that do photosynthesis, such as algae and some types of fungi and bacteria. They act as natural antioxidants for our body, and some of them are transformed into Vitamin A in the body. They protect against various diseases, such as some types of cancer, heart disease, and age-related macular degeneration (Shete and Quadro, 2013).
- Potassium: is the mineral that the body needs to function properly. It helps the functioning of the nerves, the kidneys, the contraction of the muscles, the proper exercise of the digestive system and to achieve a constant heart rate. In addition, it allows the nutrients that we assume from food to correctly reach the cells, and can expel their waste. It can counteract the effects of excess sodium on hypertension.
- Iron: Fundamental for many functions of the organism. We need iron to make the proteins hemoglobin (found in red blood cells) and myoglobin (found in muscles). Both proteins collaborate in the transport and storage of oxygen in the body. The iron level must be balanced in the human body. A defect in this mineral would cause anemia, while an excess of it could cause iron poisoning, since its surplus is toxic.
- Phosphorus: This mineral constitutes 1% of a person’s body weight, and is the second most abundant mineral in the body, most of which is found in teeth and bones (the main function of phosphorus is the formation of both), in addition to being present in each of the cells of our body. Phosphorus is necessary for many functions, such as: a.- for the body to produce protein for growth, b.- for the conservation and repair of cells and tissues, c.- to produce ATP (which is a molecule that it is used to store energy), d.- for the kidneys to function properly, e.- for the muscles to contract, f.- for the heart to beat normally, and g.- for the nervous signals to be produced in the organism.
- Calcium: As in the case of phosphorus, calcium also has essential functions. The body stores more than 99% of the calcium in the bones and teeth, in order to help them to be strong and resistant. The rest, is distributed in the blood, muscles and cells. Its function is essential to: a.- help muscles and blood vessels to contract and relax, b.- to secrete hormones and enzymes, and c.- to send messages through the nervous system.
- Vitamins (A, B, C, D, E, K): Vitamins activate the oxidation of food and facilitate metabolic operations. Likewise, they promote the use and release of the energy provided by the food we eat.
Specifically, OPC contains the following vitamins:
VITAMIN A: that intervenes in the growth, in the hydration of the skin and mucous membranes, in the capillary health, in the growth and resistance of the nails, teeth and bones as well as being a natural antioxidant.
VITAMIN B: which is a complex made up of 8 types of them. All of them intervene in the proper functioning of the nervous, circulatory, digestive and hormonal systems. In addition, they are useful to prevent bloating, enhance cognitive functions, increase energy and reduce stress.
VITAMIN C: which is necessary for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of the body. In addition, it is responsible for keeping bones in good condition and fixing iron, calcium and phosphorus.
VITAMIN D: which regulates calcium metabolism and its fixation. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to bone diseases (such as rickets and osteoporosis), playing a key role in the nervous, muscular and immune systems.
VITAMIN E: which helps stabilize cell membranes, and some studies have concluded that this vitamin has been shown to be effective in preventing some types of cancer, in preventing heart disease, in the face of age-related cognitive decline advanced, and as a preventive against liver disease.
VITAMIN K: which helps the body to form red blood cells, to build bones and tissues through proteins, and is also essential in blood clotting (without vitamin K the blood would not clot and it could bleed a lot).
In the next article we will continue describing what makes the OPC from Algamania so competitive, analyzing the new components that have been added to its composition, in order to obtain the best of the existing products on the market. You can buy OPC from Algamania directly in our Online Store.
References
González, C., Gil, K., Ginés, I., Beltrán, R., Pinent, M. and Ardévol, A. (2019). Grape-Seed Proanthocyanidins are Able to Reverse Intestinal Dysfunction and Metabolic Endotoxemia Induced by a Cafeteria Diet in Wistar Rats. Nutrients, 11 (5). DOI: 10.3390 / nu11050979.
Lian, Q., Nie, Y., Zhang, X., Tan, B., Cao, H. and Chen, W. (2016). Effects of grape seed Proanthocyanidin on Alzheimer’s disease in vitro and in vivo. Exp. Ther. Med., 12 (3), 1681-1692.
Ravindranathan, P., Pasham, D., Balaji, U., Cardenas, J., Gu, J. and Toden, S. (2018). Mechanistic insights into anticancer properties of oligomeric Proanthocyanidins from grape seeds in colorectal cancer. Carcinogenesis, 39 (6), 767-777.
Shete, V. and Quadro, L. (2013). Mammalian Metabolism of B-Carotene: Gaps in Knowledge. Nutrients, 5 (12), 4849-4868.
Toden, S., Ravindranathan, P., Gu, J., Cardenas, J., Yuchang, M and Goel, A. (2018). Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPCs) target cancer stem like cells and suppress tumor organoid formation in colorectal cancer. Sci. Rep., 8 (1), 24-30.
