OPC stands for oligomeric proanthocyanidins and is a colorless bitter substance. These belong to the group of polyphenols and are found mainly in grape seeds and the skin of red grapes. OPC is present in small amounts in almost every plant and protects it from oxidation. The OPC content is higher the riper the plant is harvested. OPC was discovered by the Frenchman Prof. Dr. Masquelier in 1947, more or less by chance, in red peanut shells when he was looking for fattening feed and protein sources for the post-war generation. It is distributed throughout the body within a few minutes and reaches its highest concentration about ¾ hour after ingestion and is used up within ~72 hours. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) published the following list in August 2004, which shows the OPC content (in mg) per 100 g of the respective food:

• Red wine: 45.63
• wild blueberries: 44.23
• Apples: 41.56
• strawberries: 42.01
• Sweet cherries: 17.26
• Grape juice: 14.14
• Apple juice (unsweetened): 12.12
• Cocoa beans: 5.68
• Bananas: 3.37
• Beer: 2.03

However, it should be noted that these quantities are based on freshly harvested goods. Due to the long storage and transport routes, these values ​​are usually significantly lower when they reach the consumer (with the exception of red wine and beer, of course).

When comparing with other products, it should be noted that many suppliers do not indicate the OPC content, but only the total polyphenol content, thus arriving at values ​​of around 90%, which do not correspond to the pure OPC content!

Highlights of OPC

• OPC is a particularly strong antioxidant (“radical scavenger”) and is about 20 times more effective than vitamin C in neutralizing free radicals and about 50 times more effective than vitamin E. For example, the grape seed extract OPC 40 has a so-called “ORAC” value of 20,000, which indicates the ability to absorb oxygen radicals. Free radicals damage cells and contribute to the aging process as well as to numerous chronic diseases.
• While vitamin C is considered the strongest hydrophilic (water-soluble) antioxidant, OPC acts as both a hydro- and a lipophilic antioxidant and can therefore basically protect all cell types from free radicals.
• Many users also use OPC to treat inflammation in the organism.
• Research results suggest that OPC prolongs and multiplies the effectiveness of vitamins A, C and E. In animal experiments, OPC increased the effect of vitamin C many times over because it can regenerate used vitamin C up to 10 times. This regeneration takes place by means of a redox reaction (reduction-oxidation reaction).
• The bioavailability of OPC is 100%.
• Unlike many other substances, OPC can, due to its size, pass through both the blood-brain and spinal cord barriers and thus exert its effects very directly in these areas of the body.
• Since OPC, unlike vitamin C, can bind directly to proteins (especially collagen and elastin), OPC is said to contribute to strengthening the vascular walls as well as the skin and bones.
• You can download a free e-book about grape seed extract / OPC here: Free e-book

Legal consumer information: German and European law aims to protect consumers from allegedly misleading claims of effectiveness. The statements made here refer to the original Ayurvedic and TCM texts. This knowledge, which has been passed down for thousands of years, is based on experience passed down from generation to generation. It is not intended to claim that the products described here have an effect in the sense of Western medicine. All products are food supplements; they are not medications and have no medical effect. If you are ill and require medical care, please contact your doctor or pharmacist.

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