What are the effects of a specific grape seed extract (GSEe) on vascular inflammation, vasodilation, and blood pressure in both in vitro and human models?
Grape Seed Extract, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (Nutrients 2021, PMID 33671310) — in healthy human volunteers, GSEe supplementation significantly modulated blood pressure, showing a more pronounced effect compared to placebo. Scope: over 16 weeks, and the abstract states no limitations.
Source: Nutrients 2021, PMID 33671310 ↗ · Research map · How Magellan grades evidence · evidence confidence: low
Nutrients · 2021 · PMID 33671310 · DOI 10.3390/nu13020654
A specific grape seed extract improved markers of endothelial function in cells and lowered blood pressure in healthy human volunteers, also showing a positive effect on perceived stress.
The question
What are the effects of a specific grape seed extract (GSEe) on vascular inflammation, vasodilation, and blood pressure in both in vitro and human models?
What they tested
The study hypothesized that GSEe, a standardized grape seed extract, would positively modulate endothelial function and blood pressure.
How they did it
The study used an in vitro human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) model to assess GSEe's effects on vascular inflammation and vasodilation markers. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study was also conducted in healthy volunteers, with participants receiving 300 mg/day of GSEe tablets for 16 weeks, to investigate its benefits on blood pressure and mood.
What they found
In HUVEC cells, GSEe significantly reduced the secretion/release of soluble Inter-Cellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (sICAM) and endothelin-1. In healthy human volunteers, GSEe supplementation significantly modulated blood pressure, showing a more pronounced effect compared to placebo. This blood pressure modulation was observed in the male subgroup, where no placebo effect was noted, unlike in the female group. Additionally, GSEe showed a positive modulation on mood related to stress perception.
What it means
GSEe beneficially modulates endothelial functionality and blood pressure. It also relieved perceived stress, suggesting potential for mood comfort.
Limitations
The abstract does not explicitly state any limitations of the study.
Where the published abstract does not list limitations, we say so rather than inventing them. Read the full paper on PubMed before drawing conclusions.
The paper at a glance
| Magellan’s evidence label | improves endothelial function, lowers BP (our label for this citation — see PubMed for the paper’s own title and authors) |
|---|---|
| Journal | Nutrients |
| Year | 2021 |
| PMID | 33671310 ↗ |
| DOI | 10.3390/nu13020654 ↗ |
| Topic | Cardiovascular & vascular aging |
Read the source: PubMed record (authors, abstract, full citation) ↗ · Publisher via doi.org ↗
Where Magellan uses this paper
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Grape Seed Extract
Randomized trials and meta-analyses indicate that grape seed extract can modestly lower blood pressure — pooled systolic reductions of roughly 2–6 mmHg, larger in younger, obese, or metabolic-syndrome patients — and may improve markers of blood glucose, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and inflammation.
Grape seed extract (GSE) is a polyphenol-rich preparation made from the seeds of wine grapes (Vitis…
Research describes the compound or intervention studied. It is not a claim about any specific product.
Molecules & mechanisms in this paper
Each of these is named in the paper’s own words above. Open the monograph for the full mechanism and its other citations.
Cite this page
These citations point at this summary. To cite the original paper with its full author list, use the PubMed record or doi.org.
Magellan Longevity. (2026). What are the effects of a specific grape seed extract (GSEe) on vascular inflammation, vasodilation, and blood pressure in both in vitro and human models? [Plain-English summary of Nutrients 2021, PMID 33671310, DOI 10.3390/nu13020654]. Magellan Longevity. https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s111.html@misc{magellan_s111,
title = {What are the effects of a specific grape seed extract (GSEe) on vascular inflammation, vasodilation, and blood pressure in both in vitro and human models?},
author = {{Magellan Longevity}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s111.html}},
note = {Plain-English summary of PubMed PMID 33671310; DOI 10.3390/nu13020654; Nutrients 2021. Reviewed by Gabriel Radu, DO},
urldate = {2026-08-11}
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