Grapeseed Oil: Are There Health Benefits?

Medically Reviewed by Christine Mikstas, RD, LD on November 14, 2022
Written by WebMD Editorial Contributor
3 min read

Grapeseed oil has become a popular alternative cooking oil. It has similar properties to oils like vegetable or olive oil and can provide many health benefits to consumers. Grapeseed oil is made from grape seeds, which are byproducts from the winemaking process. It wasn’t until recently that grapeseed oil was extracted from the leftover seeds to create a product.

There are not many key nutrients in grapeseed oil. However, it does contain ingredients like Omega-6 fatty acids, and is high in polyunsaturated fatty acids, which contribute to some health benefits. Here’s what you need to know about the health benefits of grapeseed oil.

The following nutritional is found in 1 tablespoon of grapeseed oil:

In addition, nutrients and minerals you’ll find in grapeseed oil include the following:

It’s significant to note that grapeseed oil contains more vitamin E than other oils like olive oil, which can contribute to a healthy diet.

Grapeseed oil has become popular in households as a substitute for other types of oils. It contains vitamin E and some fatty acids that may contribute to a healthy lifestyle and diet.

Improved Inflammation and Insulin Resistance

A study of overweight or obese women showed that the consumption of grapeseed oil improved inflammatory conditions as well as insulin resistance.

Reduced Risk of Heart Disease

Grapeseed oil contains high levels of vitamin E, which has high antioxidant properties, and has shown to contribute to the reduction of damaged cells from free radicals in the body. This protection helps prevent heart disease and some cancers. Replacing food with high saturated fat levels with those containing polyunsaturated fats have also been shown to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease.

Reduction of Blood Clots

Another study indicated that grapeseed oil contributes to lowering platelet aggregation, which reduces blood clotting.

Skin Moisturizing

There are many uses of grapeseed oil for the skin, especially on the face. Because it contains high levels of vitamin E, this oil may contribute to better skin and reducing UV damage. However, other studies indicate that there is not enough research to truly determine the potential benefits of using vitamin E on the skin.

There are currently not many known health risks of grapeseed oil as it is considered to be healthy and similar to olive oil. Therefore, more comprehensive research on its benefits and risks to health are required.

Increased Risk of Cancer

However, one noted risk of this oil is that some types may contain high levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), which can be dangerous to human health. PAHs have been found to cause cancer in some animals.

Weight Gain 
As most oils, grapeseed oil is high in fat, and therefore should be consumed in moderation. Eating a high fat diet can lead to excess weight gain which increases your risk of cancer, heart disease, and other health problems.