32 Pycnogenol & Pine Bark Extract Benefits + Dosage

According to research, Pycnogenol may have a multitude of health benefits, which are likely due to this extract’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Learn about all the potential benefits of Pycnogenol and find out which ones are most supported by science. Pycnogenol is a patented extract of the French maritime pine bark ( Pinus pinaster ). It is standardized to contain 65-75% procyanidins, a class of polyphenols and flavonoids like those found in blueberries, wine, grape skin, citrus, and cocoa . Some research suggests that procyanidins may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. The remaining compounds are phenolic acids, which may also have antioxidant activity [ 1 , 2 ]. Research into Pycnogenol has revealed some promising results in over 30 health conditions. However, it’s unclear how clinically effective Pycnogenol is for most of these conditions due to the low quality of evidence. That said, there are some instances where this extract may possibly be effective. In this article, we’ll summarize all the potential benefits and the scientific research surrounding pine bark extract and Pycnogenol. Pycnogenol is officially extracted from the French maritime pine ( Pinus pinaster ), which grows in the southwest coast of France. Its quality is specified in the United States Pharmacopeia [ 3 ]. Pycnogenol is known under different names in some countries, such as Oligopin, and Flavangenol in Japan [ 4 , 5 ]. Extracts can also be made from other pine barks, such as Pinus radiata , Pinus densiflora , Pinus thunbergii, and Pinus massoniana . Most have similar amounts of active substances and are often sold under the brand name Pycnogenol [ 6 ]. However, some of these other pine bark extracts can have different active compounds, which may affect their biological activity. For example, Enzogenol is an extract from a pine that grows […]

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