What is it?
Resveratrol is a substance produced naturally in plants when they undergo external (environmental) stress -- weather shocks, insect and animal attacks, pathogens, and the like.
The skin of red grapes has been identified as an especially rich source of this substance, although it has also been found in many other plants.
Not surprisingly, red wine is also a good source.
How can it benefit you?
Just recently, a major study made worldwide headlines by showing many of the potential health benefits of this substance. The study was led by Dr. John Pezzuto of the College of Pharmacy at the UIC campus.
Although much of the news did not surprise us here at Nutritional-Supplement-Info due to our previous research on resveratrol, we are glad to see this powerful health substance garnering a great deal of media attention.
Some benefits include:
1) Powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants are substances that can neutralize free radicals, which are highly reactive compounds that, if left unchecked, can lead to cellular damage. Free radicals are believed by some experts to be a major culprit in heart disease, cancer, and aging itself.
2) The study conducted by Dr. Pezzuto showed that resveratrol was effective against the progression of cancer. Most impressively, it was effective in all the major stages of cancer -- the initiation, promotion, and progression.
3) Resveratrol has been shown to help lower bad cholesterol (LDL), and, therefore, may be a potent nutrient in preventing cardiovascular disease. It has also shown to reduce the clumping of platelets. Thus, such conditions as atherosclerosis and heart attacks, which are often caused by arterial blockages, may potentially be reduced by this potent substance.
Resveratrol has sometimes been attributed to what is known as the "French Paradox" -- that is, the well known phenomenon of French people who eat a great deal of fatty foods, smoke, and yet do not suffer from conditions such as heart attacks nearly as much as those in the Western world do. The key here, it is believed, is that the French consume red wines often daily.
Precautions
There is no RDA (recommended daily allowance) set for resveratrol. A sensible dose of around 30 to 50 mgs is advocated by some experts.
Nutritional-Supplement-Info's Opinion
Resveratrol appears to be a very powerful substance. In one US study it has been shown to extend the life span of yeast cells by up to 80 per cent.
However, studies need to be conducted on humans using this substance to see if similar benefits apply.
Also, because there are detrimental side effects of drinking alcohol, we do not believe any of these promising studies mean one should begin drinking red wine daily.
Taking resveratrol in a supplement seems to be a much more preferable choice to get its benefits without the damaging effects of alcohol.