Proanthocyanidins in foods

Synonyms

Flavonoids, leucoanthocyanin, leukocyanidin, oligomeric proanthocyanidin (OPC), procyanidolic oligomers (PCO), pycnogenol.

Background

Proanthocyanidins are a group of chemical compounds found in many types of plants and are an important part of the human diet. Proanthocyanidins belong to a larger category of plant chemicals called flavonoids. Proanthocyanidins are sometimes called OPCs, an abbreviation for oligomeric procyanidins, or PCOs, an abbreviation for procyanidolic oligomers, both classes of nutrients belonging to the flavonoid family.

A variety of plants contain proanthocyanidins, including teas, black currant, bilberry, cranberry, grape seed, and grape skin. These useful antioxidant chemicals are also found in making red wines.

Although proanthocyanidins have been sold in Europe since the 1980s, they have not appeared in U.S. markets as therapeutic and nutritional supplements. Nutritional supplements containing proanthocyanidins are sold alone or in combination with other agents as tablets and capsules. Some health experts recommend that individuals consume between 50 and 100 milligrams of proanthocyanidins per day.

The proanthocyanidins present in red wine are thought to contribute to the "French Paradox," a hypothesis that attributes lower occurrence of heart disease in countries where moderate amounts of wine are a regular part of the diet.

Proanthocyanidins are not classified as essential nutrients, as no symptoms or medical conditions have been linked to the absence of flavonoids in the diet. However, many experts believe that proanthocyanidins may play a role in treating chronic venous insufficiency. The effects of proanthocyanidins on capillary fragility, retinopathy, and sunburn are more tentative. It has also been suggested that proanthocyanidins may help to treat varicose veins and pancreatic insufficiency, but there is a significant lack of any type of clinical evidence to support these uses. Human clinical trials evaluating proanthocyanidins in prevention, treatment, or cure of any medical condition are not currently available.

Proanthocyanidins are a group of chemical compounds found in many types of plants and are an important part of the human diet. Proanthocyanidins belong to a larger category of plant chemicals called flavonoids. Proanthocyanidins are sometimes called OPCs, an abbreviation for oligomeric procyanidins, or PCOs, an abbreviation for procyanidolic oligomers, both classes of nutrients belonging to the flavonoid family.

A variety of plants contain proanthocyanidins, including teas, black currant, bilberry, cranberry, grape seed, and grape skin. These useful antioxidant chemicals are also found in making red wines.

Although proanthocyanidins have been sold in Europe since the 1980s, they have not appeared in U.S. markets as therapeutic and nutritional supplements. Nutritional supplements containing proanthocyanidins are sold alone or in combination with other agents as tablets and capsules. Some health experts recommend that individuals consume between 50 and 100 milligrams of proanthocyanidins per day.

The proanthocyanidins present in red wine are thought to contribute to the "French Paradox," a hypothesis that attributes lower occurrence of heart disease in countries where moderate amounts of wine are a regular part of the diet.

Proanthocyanidins are not classified as essential nutrients, as no symptoms or medical conditions have been linked to the absence of flavonoids in the diet. However, many experts believe that proanthocyanidins may play a role in treating chronic venous insufficiency. The effects of proanthocyanidins on capillary fragility, retinopathy, and sunburn are more tentative. It has also been suggested that proanthocyanidins may help to treat varicose veins and pancreatic insufficiency, but there is a significant lack of any type of clinical evidence to support these uses. Human clinical trials evaluating proanthocyanidins in prevention, treatment, or cure of any medical condition are not currently available.

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This feature is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the care and information received from your healthcare provider. Please consult a healthcare professional with any health concerns you may have.