What does Maritime Pine Bark do?
Many of the therapeutic benefits of maritime pine bark extract stem from its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. As a natural antioxidant, maritime pine bark extract helps to protect the body against oxidative stress caused by free radicals.
Maritime pine bark also possesses anti-inflammatory properties that may help regulate the body's inflammatory responses, so by managing inflammation, maritime pine bark could benefit overall health and well-being.
What is Maritime Pine Bark used for?
Maritime pine bark has been used by indigenous cultures as a traditional medicine to help with wound healing, coughs and other ailments. Nowadays, maritime pine bark is used as a herbal supplement thanks to its antioxidant and antimicrobial effects.
What are the health benefits of Maritime Pine Bark?
Maritime pine bark extract has shown potential in supporting a number of health issues. Here are just some of the human health benefits of maritime pine bark.
Support healthy blood sugar levels
Some studies have suggested that the main bioactive compounds in maritime pink bark, like flavonoids and procyanidins, may help support healthy blood sugar levels within normal ranges. While the exact mechanisms still aren't fully understood, it's thought that maritime pine bark extract may help to improve insulin sensitivity and enhance blood glucose control to promote healthy blood sugar levels.
Boost cognitive function
Whether you're suffering from age-related cognitive decline or certain lifestyle factors are impacting your brain function, there's research to indicate that pine bark extract may aid in healthy brain function. These brain health benefits are believed to stem from pine bark extract's antioxidant effects and neuroprotective functions by protecting brain cells from oxidative damage.
Support cardiovascular health
Research has found pine bark extract may help to support healthy blood pressure levels and support heart health thanks to its antioxidant properties. It might help improve blood flow, and enhance the health of blood vessels.
Improves physical function and exercise performance
In the same way that maritime pine bark extract can boost nitric oxide (NO) levels in the body. NO is a vasodilator and can help with sexual function, studies suggest that improved NO levels can also positively impact athletic performance and recovery. It's possible that pine bark may even help to reduce muscle cramps and pain post-exercise.
Protect the skin from environmental factors
There's no denying that there's a fine line between getting enough vitamin D and excessive sun exposure. With that said, early evidence suggests that Pycnogenol® supplementation may help to support skin health by offering protection against UVB rays, reducing photodamage and boosting skin barrier function.
Support immune system function
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, studies suggest that maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol®) may help to regulate the immune system and even help to fight the common cold by reducing the duration and severity of cold symptoms.
While early research into the benefits of maritime pine bark extract is promising, further investigation is still needed to support its many uses.