By: Kenna McHugh
In the early 1900s researchers first began to discover how resveratrol benefits the human body. Wine, particularly a valuable source from deep red grapes, was known for high levels of resveratrol. It was often used as a medicinal tonic, not just a pleasurable use for fine dining or drink. The benefits are still relatively new to modern medicine.
Resveratrol gained a solid foothold in traditional medicine and several ancient tribes of the Chinese, other Asian provinces and African regions used it. The first record of its use was in 1939 by Michio Takaoka, a Japanese scientist. Takaoka engineered a way to isolate it from the Japanese white hellebore roots. Another source of resveratrol was discovered in 1963 with a different Japanese plant called knotweed, which frequently treated various ailments and illnesses, including liver and heart diseases (x). Its valuable properties were the reason why only the wealthy merchants and royals had access to the health benefits of red wine in the past.
Since these recorded findings, additional research concerning resveratrol occurred with several attempts to extract it in order to distribute the product as a polyphenol supplement, and its popularity continues to grow (x).
The French Paradox
As the knowledge and application of resveratrol moved forward, scientists noted that people in the French region ate significant quantities of saturated fats from their ancestral cuisines. Reportedly, saturated fats in diets led to health problems like weight gain and heart disease. However, the French still maintained incredibly fit and slim physiques. The discovery of the anomaly originated from well-known Dr. Serge Renaud, who appropriately coined the circumstance as the “French Paradox” (x).
Doctors and particularly scientists focused their research on the French lifestyle and learned that French diet also included a lot of alcohol—deep red wines, specifically. From here, people began to suggest that the components in red wine may have been beneficial to health and weight loss (x).
The discovery of the “French Paradox” ignited the urgency for more research and defining of resveratrol influence in society’s diet. The resultant studies determined two types of resveratrol, trans-resveratrol and cis-resveratrol. Trans-resveratrol is what health-conscious people, like you, want most in their food. Its benefits are healthier than cis-resveratrol in general (x).
What is Resveratrol?
Resveratrol is a natural chemical derived from standard grape products such as red wine, grape skin, red grape juice and purple grape juice. Small quantities of the compound come from blueberries, raspberries, mulberries and peanuts. Resveratrol exists primarily in the skins and seeds of red and purple grapes and raspberries.
The SIRT 1 Gene
Scientists discovered that the human body has a gene called SIRT 1. The gene usually activates when the body undergoes a calorie-restricted diet. In this circumstance, the body oxidizes an abundance of free radicals, which can cause substantial levels of inflammation in the body. As a result, SIRT 1 activates to guard the body’s DNA and cells from the oxidation process while trying to reduce inflammation. Experts believe this system may support longevity (x).
Studies indicate that resveratrol benefits come into play by increasing the SIRT 1 gene and helping the genes in performing their tasks. It also interacts with mitochondria, which creates energy for the cell to improve the aerobic capacity and increase the process of oxidative phosphorylation, which is the final step in the cell’s task to produce the life process by energy. Also, resveratrol can protect the body from obesity and increase metabolism, as well as insulin resistance (x).
What is Polyphenol?
Resveratrol is a polyphenol, a compound chemical of two or more chemical elements bonded together. The body metabolizes 70 percent of the consumption of resveratrol through the digestive tract, while the other 30 percent, in scientific theory, goes through the bloodstream.
Polyphenol is a plant’s natural defensive stand against pathogens and disease-causing microorganisms that cause damage or attack the plant in general. Studies point out that they are pigmentation components and add bitterness when you eat them, which protects the plant against insects and small animals and guards it from damaging UV rays.
How Does Polyphenol Benefit the Human Body?
According to research, they function as antioxidants that may help protect the body against chronic diseases like heart disease, inflammation and cancer. Research suggests that it may help promote overall health and longevity (x). With decades of research in polyphenol, science has produced positive outcomes of polyphenols on sustaining and promoting physical health (x).
Types of Polyphenols
Polyphenols are plentiful antioxidants found in foods. They are subdivided into four categories (x).
- Flavonoids – contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities, found in vegetables, fruits, legumes, green tea and red wine.
- Phenolic acids – analyzed as a tremendous source of antioxidant activity and additional health advantages. You can find them in tea, cinnamon, coffee, cherries, blueberries, apples, kiwifruits and plums.
- Polyphenolic amides – a component of common foods, especially capsaicin, which is in chili peppers and is responsible for their spiciness. Studies suggest they also have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities (x).
- Other polyphenols – such as resveratrol, curcumin and lignan all have some possible anti-inflammatory and antibiotic characteristics and can activate cellular protection upon oxidative stress and inflammation (x).
What is Trans-Resveratrol?
Scientists explain that there are two types of resveratrol—trans-resveratrol and cis-resveratrol. Trans-resveratrol’s positive biological activity is higher than its counterpart. You could consider resveratrol a gene food. What is a gene food? It is an element that helps the genes function better.
Resveratrol activates an essential protein that increases mitochondrial development in our body’s tissue, namely in the brain, muscle and heart to decrease oxidative stress. The increase in mitochondria may help increase oxygen intake, reduce inflammation, protect the nervous system and combat damage with natural aging (x).
What Foods Have Resveratrol?
In general, studies prove the kinds of food that have a notable amount of resveratrol come from nature. Deep red grapes stand out as an excellent source of resveratrol, but the fermentation process to make wine is not essential in its effectiveness (x). Some other food sources with resveratrol include (x):
- Peanuts and peanut butter
- Pistachios
- Dark chocolate
- Cocoa powder or cocoa beans
- Blueberries, mulberries, cranberries and raspberries
What is Resveratrol Used for?
Blood Pressure & Cholesterol
Studies show resveratrol contains high levels of antioxidant properties may help patients manage hypertension (high blood pressure). Arteries become harder and narrower as the body ages. This increases the force needed to exert blood flow through the vessels toward the heart and away from its center. High blood pressure can increase the risk for stroke and heart attacks (x).
In addition, a study on mice tested the subjects’ cholesterol. The animal subjects were fed a diet consisting of high-protein and unsaturated fats. When the researchers gave them the plant supplements, they observed a significant reduction in cholesterol and body weight (x).
Bone & Joint Pain
According to research, the breakdown of bone cartilage is one of the main reasons for bone and joint pain. In some instances, it can be so extreme that the pain may eventually lead to loss of mobility. In one study, researchers used rabbit subjects with arthritis. When they injected the subjects with resveratrol, they suffered less deterioration of the cartilage in their knee joints. These results indicate that the supplement may help reduce inflammation and prevent additional damage (x).
Longevity
Research states that resveratrol may also promote longevity. The plant supplement activates SIRT 1, the gene that safeguards DNA and cells from damaging oxidation and inflammation. Hence, it may help the body live longer in general (x).
Diabetes
Studies indicate that diabetes occurs when people suffer the adverse effects of sorbitol, sugar alcohol, which triggers oxidation in the cells in excess. Gradually, the cells become damaged. However, the properties in resveratrol may alleviate this damaging process by decreasing or preventing the change from glucose to sorbitol (x).
Age-Related Cognitive Decline
According to studies, resveratrol may also help with age-related decline, such as Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. There are several studies on the plant supplement that suggest resveratrol’s benefits on age-related decline. One study suggests that resveratrol may significantly help stop the production and functioning of beta-amyloid. Beta-amyloid is a protein that increases the risk for the dreaded plaques that can lead to Alzheimer’s disease (x).
Furthermore, research stresses how resveratrol is effective in safeguarding the brain cells through the supplements anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory activities. However, ask your doctor before taking any supplements (x).
How Resveratrol Benefits the Body
The results of taking resveratrol for health care reasons vary according to one’s health. Predominantly, the most promoted success and effectiveness of resveratrol is possibly its function as an antioxidant (x).
Antioxidant Properties
The body both makes and takes in antioxidants. These play a crucial role in building up your body’s defensive system through the oxidation of the cells in your body. Oxygen molecules split into single atoms, leaving them with unpaired electrons which means they become unstable. These cells, called free radicals, seek other atoms or molecules to bond with. This begins a process called oxidative stress (x).
Further studies indicate that antioxidants support your cells by oxidizing and keeping wandering oxidation at bay. Cellular damage happens when you become exposed to more oxidative stress than your body can manage. Oxidative stress can cause aging and chronic illnesses like cancer, heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s (x).
Furthermore, oxidation can also increase cholesterol, damage blood vessel walls and contribute to oxidizing DNA. However, free radicals are also beneficial to your body because some kinds of immune cells, like specific white blood cells, manufacture them as defenses toward infectious agents (x).
Resveratrol can heighten SIRT 1 levels, a gene that safeguards DNA and the body cells from oxidation and minimizes inflammation. The compound can also increase the aerobic capacity and heighten the oxidation process that protects the insulin resistance and obesity (x).
According to medical research, resveratrol’s antioxidant properties may be able to lower blood pressure in high doses. It may reduce the systolic blood pressure as the heart beats and puts pressure on the artery walls. The artery walls stiffen with age and the systolic blood pressure rises. High blood pressure increases susceptibility to heart disease. Resveratrol may help lower blood pressure by helping to generate nitric oxide, which naturally formulates for the artery walls to improve the blood flow, relaxing the blood vessels (x).
Resveratrol may help in countering insulin resistance when the body is limited in controlling the blood sugar-lowering hormone insulin, which can lead to diabetes. The compound stimulates the SIRT1 gene, guarding your body against obesity and the conditions of aging (x).
Cognitive Support
As we try to understand resveratrol, scientists work hard to know how the plant compound works in the body, particularly in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. In some research studies, resveratrol may have lowered the volume of beta-amyloid protein in cells developed in the brains of mice by increasing the protein’s organic breakdown. Beta-amyloid can form plaques, abnormal growths symptomatic of Alzheimer’s disease.
A different scientific discussion revolves around the fact that the plant compound imitates the impact of reducing calorie consumption. A low-calorie regime, in animal studies, prevents or delays the start of age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s. A low-calorie diet activates a group of enzymes called sirtuins, related to SIRT 1 and research suggests that resveratrol may produce the same impact (x).
Researchers propose that resveratrol may protect brain cells from damage from oxidative stress. Look at another age-related condition—neuroinflammation, or inflammation of the nervous tissue. In studies, researchers introduced resveratrol to the subjects’ regime and noticed a reduction in neuroinflammation. However, the studies were performed only on animal subjects so there is limited research on human subjects. Always ask your doctor before starting a new supplement, including resveratrol (x).
Inflammation
Oxidative stress causes inflammation in the body, possibly leading to disease. Understanding how to correct this paradox is vital to potentially living a pain- and relatively disease-free life (x). Cells called microglia play a role in producing the pro-inflammatory factors that cause Alzheimer’s and other diseases related to the nervous system. Ongoing studies explain how pro-inflammatory cytokines signal pathways that inhibit cognitive behavior. Studies on lab mice show that microglia are detrimental to the nervous system and resveratrol may inhibit their activity (x).
Glucose Metabolization
What is activated AMPK protein? Researchers report that it is an enzyme found in all living animals and humans. Its primary function is to regulate energy levels in your cells, to promote longevity and decrease signs of aging. It is a fundamental cellular regulator of glucose metabolism. AMPK activation promotes glucose ingestion and usage and also lowers glycogen absorption into the body. It ignites the breakdown of glucose for energy, which is the body’s primary source of energy and the brain uses it in large amounts (x).
Why Take Resveratrol?
Resveratrol is available in all sorts of foods, particularly red grape skins and individual berries. How might it help you to take it as a supplement? Before you decide to take the supplement or any supplement, you need to consult with a medical doctor and determine if resveratrol is safe to take (x).
Predominantly, research focuses on concentrated versions of the plant compound, similar to a supplement. The positive results from the experimental data support taking resveratrol as a supplement. By taking the supplement, you may be able to control the amount your body needs to stay healthy or to increase health.
How Much Resveratrol to Take
How much should you take? The recommended dosage for resveratrol powder is 250 mg twice a day, unless a doctor says otherwise. In addition, scientists agree that grape seed extract may be another good source of resveratrol in concentrated form as a supplement with similar benefits. Both resveratrol and grape seed extract function as potent antioxidants in the body. The grape seed extract comes from the seeds of grapes, while resveratrol derives from grape skins (x).
What Side Effects Can Resveratrol Cause?
Studies indicate that, for the most part, resveratrol supplements may be safe in small amounts from natural sources. Side effects are possible if you take too much of the compound including:
- Nausea
- Increased regularity of bowel movements
- Weight loss
- Itchiness or a mild rash, usually reduced after discontinuation
Since there are no unusual risks linked to using resveratrol, it is essential to point out that recommended doses are not standardized to achieve ultimate health benefits. With that, consult your health practitioner and take the needed precautions when you take the supplement, particularly if you are taking other supplements or medications. For example, it may interfere with how the liver breaks down some medications (x, x).
Where to Buy Resveratrol
You can purchase pure resveratrol supplements in powder and capsule form at BulkSupplements.com. The company is an industry-leading manufacturer and distributor for pure dietary supplements. BulkSupplements.com is not just a consumer brand. It also supplies pure ingredients to other food and supplement brands to make their products. All products at BulkSupplements.com are manufactured and tested according to current and proper manufacturing practices.
Are you interested in trying any of resveratrol’s potential benefits? Contact BulkSupplements.com to place an order.
Bottom Line
Resveratrol is a plant-compound mostly found in the skins of grapes and certain berries. Researchers and scientists suggest that the supplement offers an abundance of possible health benefits including reduced blood pressure and overall longevity. Research states that it may also help patients manage diabetes. Like any supplement, there are possible side effects in excessive doses and it may cause side effects in combination with other supplements or medications. However, resveratrol supplements are generally safe in appropriate amounts. It is always best to consult a health professional before adding resveratrol powder to a dietary regimen.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.