Grapefruit Seed Extract Benefits and Uses

Grapefruit seed extract is touted as a natural remedy for a number of health problems, including skin disorders. Also known as "GSE," grapefruit seed extract is often used as an ingredient in personal-care products. Grapefruit seed extract is also available in dietary supplement form.

Grapefruit seed extract contains naringenin, a substance known to possess antioxidant properties.

In alternative medicine, grapefruit seed extract is said to act as an antimicrobial (a substance that destroys or suppresses the growth of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi). Proponents claim that grapefruit seed extract can help with the following conditions:

• Acne
• Allergies
• Athlete's foot
• Colds
• Cold sores
• Eczema
• Gingivitis
• Sore throat
• Vaginal infection

Research on the health effects of grapefruit seed extract is limited. What's more, given the American Botanical Council's findings, it's possible that some grapefruit seed extract products tested in the available studies may contain undisclosed ingredients (and that those ingredients may be partly responsible for the products' health effects).

In a report published in 2012, American Botanical Council investigators found that many grapefruit seed extract products on the market today contain synthetic chemicals (including preservatives and disinfectants) that aren't listed on their labels. Those chemicals include benzethonium chloride, a compound found in many cosmetics, ointments, and first-aid antiseptics. According to the report's authors, any antimicrobial activity in grapefruit seed extract products is likely due to synthetic additives, and not the grapefruit seed extract itself.

Here's a look at several findings from studies on the use of grapefruit seed extract.

Grapefruit seed extract appears to be effective against a wide range of bacteria, according to a 2002 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. The study tested grapefruit seed extract's effects on human skin cells.

In a preliminary study published in the Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology in 2004, grapefruit seed extract was found to protect against pancreatitis. In tests on rats, the study's authors observed that grapefruit seed extract helped protect pancreatic tissue by offering antioxidant effects and improving pancreatic blood flow.

Given the evidence that many grapefruit seed extract products contain synthetic chemicals not listed on their labels, it's important to take caution when using any type of grapefruit seed extract (especially grapefruit seed extract delivered in dietary supplement form).

Supplements haven't been tested for safety and due to the fact that dietary supplements are largely unregulated, the content of some products may differ from what is specified on the product label. Also keep in mind that the safety of supplements in pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and those with medical conditions or who are taking medications has not been established.

Given the lack of scientific support for the use of grapefruit seed extract, it's too soon to recommend this product for any condition. However, there's some evidence that dietary intake of naringenin (one of the key antioxidants found in grapefruit seed extract) may help enhance your overall health by reducing inflammation, and possibly protecting against diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome.

If you're considering the use of grapefruit seed extract, make sure to consult your physician. Keep in mind that alternative medicine should not be used as a substitute for standard care. Self-treating a condition and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences.