If you happened to stumble on this article and this is the first time that you’re hearing about resveratrol, the name is pretty familiar. If you’re wondering what the buzz is all about, this article tells you everything that you need to know. About 7-8 years back, popular health journals and publications raved about it. A lot of people began to refer to wine as an antioxidant.

It was touted to have anti-inflammatory properties and could help maintain heart health, as well as boost longevity. Researchers encouraged the consumption of at least one glass of red wine every day. Of course, nobody was going to pass up on wine consumption being recommended by health experts. However, one factor that many people didn’t concern themselves with was the actual component of wine that had these properties, which is Resveratrol.¹

What Is Resveratrol

Resveratrol is a stilbenoid and is part of a group of compounds referred to as polyphenols. They are a protective antibiotic produced in plants when they are under pathogenic attack or in response to injury. The molecule effectively helps plants in the fight for survival in these instances. It is mainly found in food including the skin of grapes, raspberries, blueberries, mulberries, and peanuts.²

It has been in the limelight as a result of its purported antioxidant properties. These can protect the body against biological damage, which exposes it to ailments like heart diseases and cancer. It is reported to also have anti-aging properties. As a matter of fact, preliminary research shows that it just might be as effective as it is assumed to be.³

The Research

David Sinclair recently caught the attention of the public eye for a couple of reasons. Although he is already 50, he looks nowhere close to this age. Given that he is also a scientist with works focused on aging, his Resveratrol intake has been intriguing many of his followers.

According to him, he typically consumes 1g of Resveratrol in the morning with yogurt, in addition to a couple of other supplements. Why the yogurt? His research actually indicated that in the absence of fat, the absorption rate of resveratrol was about five times lower. This is what made the consumption of yogurt necessary.⁴

A 2017 study which yielded about 2,600 results showed that Resveratrol is pretty effective at improving heart function, as well as reducing blood pressure in patients with cardiovascular disease. It has also shown some positive effects on the treatment of liver disease.⁵

Also, a study from 2012 shows that consuming 2,000mg of trans-resveratrol twice a day is advisable, provided it wasn’t consumed with food that has high levels of fat.⁶ This implies that when it is consumed in low doses, it has lots of health benefits, while high doses could be detrimental to certain ailments. However, one ailment that encourages the use of high doses of this supplement is cancer.⁷

Who Should Take It?

Resveratrol has become pretty much a household name when it comes to supplements with anti-aging and disease-fighting capabilities. And after preliminary experiments, experts have just about confirmed that it really has the potential. Though still in the initial stages of study, a whole lot of users have already reported distinct improvements in lifestyle and quality of life from consuming this supplement.

From a disease-fighting aspect, given its ability to help reduce inflammation and LDL levels, it is seen to help cut down on the risk of heart attacks by inhibiting the formation of blood clots. It can also limit the cancer cells from spreading by actively kill them. Add to this is its ability to fight the build-up of brain plaques that lead to Alzheimer’s, along with protecting the nerve cells from damage.

It's also effective in preventing insulin resistance, a state in which the body starts to lose sensitivity to insulin that lowers blood sugar, and if it persists, may result in diabetes.

From an anti-aging standpoint, researchers are of the opinion that resveratrol activates the SIRT1 gene. This gene is regarded as the protector of the body from age-related diseases and the effects of obesity.

What to Consider Before Taking Resveratrol

Before taking Resveratrol, consult first your doctor. They would determine whether or not it is safe for you, as there are certain conditions that this supplement might interact with negatively.

Resveratrol could slow down the blood clot rate, thereby increasing the risk of bleeding in patients with blood disorders like hemophilia. So, if you have an upcoming surgery, you would have to stop the intake at least 2 weeks before the scheduled date.    

Also, hormone-sensitive conditions such as certain cancers, uterine fibroids, or endometriosis may be exacerbated by the supplement. It could act like estrogen, but if your condition is the type that estrogen can worsen, it isn’t appropriate for you.⁸

What To Look For In A Resveratrol Supplement

When choosing a resveratrol supplement, go for brands that use whole grape skins. These are undoubtedly one of the richest sources of natural resveratrol. Options that use muscadine grape extract are also a good choice since they contain the highest concentration of resveratrol among other sources.

Resveratrol capsules typically contain either cis-resveratrol or trans-resveratrol. Trans-resveratrol is an active ingredient within the supplement and presents diverse health benefits. What makes it better than the other variant is its concentration levels that usually range from 5 to 75 percent. Cis-resveratrol, on the flip side, is an inactive form of resveratrol and is usually found in low-quality supplements that don’t contain the properties that the body can benefit from.  

Additives are another thing to look out for. Resveratrol is a natural substance, so additives should be put under the microscope to determine their properties and effects to the body.

Where to Find It

You can always purchase supplements from your local store. You can also check E-commerce sites like Amazon. Product websites like RevGenetics.com and Megareservatrol.net are also worth visiting because of their wide selection of supplements, including resveratrol.