Resveratrol is a plant compound that acts like an antioxidant. The Japanese chemist Michio Takaoka first isolated trans-resveratrol in 1939 from Veratrum album, commonly known as false helleborine. The name “resveratrol” comes from the fact that it’s a derivative of resorcinol and was first extracted from a species of Veratrum. D. Sinclair reported in 2003 that resveratrol activated the SIRT genes in yeast cells, which influence various cellular processes. This development has resulted in further research to activate SIRT genes. The top food sources include red wine, grapes, some berries and peanuts.
This compound tends to be concentrated mostly in the skins and seeds of grapes and berries. These parts of the grape are included in the fermentation of red wine, hence its particularly high concentration of resveratrol.
Although the wide-ranging benefits of Resveratrol per se, have only fully emerged recently, the proanthocyanidin class of compounds has actually been extensively studied beginning in the 1970's, for their powerful vascular wall strengthening properties and free radical scavenging activity. Proanthocyanidins are a highly specialised group of bioflavonoids and are one of the most potent free radical scavengers known, possessing an antioxidant effect up to 50 times more potent then vitamin E and up to 20 times more powerful then vitamin C. Proanthocyanidins have been well understood for their cell membrane building capability, providing nutritional support to reduce capillary permeability and fragility. In the vascular system the anthocyanidins supports the integrity of vascular walls by increasing vitamin C levels within cells, decreasing the membrane-permeabilising effect of proteolytic/lysosomal enzymes, stimulating the synthesis of collagen and connective tissue, and stabilising cell membranes.
Resveratrol is also a member of a group of compounds called phytoalexins that are produced by plants during times of environmental stress such as adverse weather, pathogenic attack, insect attack or lack of nutrients. Resveratrol has been identified in more than 70 species of plants, including grapes, cranberries, mulberries, peanuts, and. Polygonum.
Resveratrol Benefits
Resveratrol has been researched for benefits such as promoting heart health, lowering cholesterol levels, promoting brain health, and slowing cancer growth. It is important to note that there is limited research done in humans to make conclusive recommendations. Instead, most of the studies have been done on animals or in test tubes. Still, there may be benefit to taking a supplement and including foods high in resveratrol in your diet; but be sure to discuss the idea of supplementation with a healthcare provider first.
Here are some of the potential benefits of resveratrol.
May Promote Heart Health
Due its antioxidant properties, resveratrol has many heart health promoting benefits. Research shows that resveratrol plays a role in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol while nitric oxide helps blood vessels relax.
It is thought that resveratrol helps the body to produce more nitric oxide, therefore, creating a blood pressure lowering effect. More research needs to be done to determine what specific dose of the resveratrol supplement is needed to assist in lowering blood pressure.
May Help Lower Cholesterol
There also is evidence to suggest that resveratrol helps to lower cholesterol levels by blunting the effect of the enzyme that promotes cholesterol production.
In one mouse study, the researchers fed the mice a high protein, high polyunsaturated fat diet in addition to giving them resveratrol supplements. At the end of the study, the mice's average total cholesterol levels decreased and their HDL or "good" cholesterol increased.
May Promote Brain Health
Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds are known to protect the brain and slow down cognitive decline and resveratrol is no exception. Many studies suggest that drinking red wine can slow age-related cognitive decline.
One study examined the role the compound plays in setting off a chain of events in the body that protects the brain cells from damage. The study showed that resveratrol interferes with beta-amyloids, which are protein fragments that form plaques indicating the development of Alzheimer's disease.
While these studies are promising, researchers are still unclear on how effective a resveratrol supplement is on brain health, which limits any conclusive recommendations for widespread use.
May Slow Cancer Growth
Additionally, resveratrol has been extensively studied in test tubes and animals for its potential role in helping to prevent and treat cancer, yielding mixed results. Resveratrol may inhibit cancer cell growth.
It also may change gene expression in cancer cells to slow their growth, and interfere with the way hormones are expressed to prevent certain cancers from spreading.
What to Look For
When choosing a resveratrol supplement, be sure to look for one that has trans resveratrol. This is the active ingredient that delivers health benefits. At Vitawell, we only provide trans reseveratrol, the active ingredient. Resveratrol is found in different levels of purity where trans-resveratrol contains 99% of the active ingredient.
References:
Arbo, B. D. et al. (2020) ‘Resveratrol Derivatives as Potential Treatments for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease’, Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 12(April), pp. 1–15. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.00103.
Cheng, L. et al. (2018) ‘Resveratrol-induced down regulation of NAF-1 enhances the sensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine via the ROS/Nrf2 signaling pathways’, Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. Hindawi, 2018. doi: 10.1155/2018/9482018.
Cvejic, J. M. et al. (2010) ‘Determination of trans- and cis-resveratrol in Serbian commercial wines’, Journal of Chromatographic Science. Oxford University Press, 48(3), pp. 229–234. doi: 10.1093/chromsci/48.3.229.
