Resveratrol is a polyphenol found in certain plants, most notably red grapes. It is also found in mulberries, cranberries, blueberries and peanuts. In animal studies resveratrol has been shown to have anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic and neuroprotective activities. Several clinical trials are ongoing to assess the efficacy of resveratrol for treating colon cancer, obesity, heart disease and Alzheimer's disease.
Anti-Aging
No studies in humans have confirmed the anti-aging effects of resveratrol. A review in the journal Genes and Nutrition reports that resveratrol does increase lifespan in some animal models; however, this review points out that other compounds in red wine and white wine affect the same genes involved in aging as resveratrol.
Neuroprotection
A review in the journal BioMed Central Neuroscience notes that several animal studies provide evidence that resveratrol is protective against Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. A clinical trial is ongoing that is evaluating the effects of resveratrol in Alzheimer's patients.
Anti-Cancer
The National Cancer Institute reports that several studies in animals and in cells isolated in a laboratory environment have demonstrated that resveratrol reduces tumor incidence, decreases cancer cell growth and prevents cancers from spreading. Results from clinical trials evaluating the therapeutic benefit of oral resveratrol administration in cancer patients are not yet available.
Anti-Diabetic
Numerous animal studies provide evidence that resveratrol improves insulin sensitivity and positively influences glucose homeostasis. Currently, a clinical trial is being conducted to evaluate the effects of resveratrol at doses between 120 and 500 mg per day on inflammatory markers in people with and without type 2 diabetes. This trial was initiated in 2008 and results are not yet available.
Anti-Inflammatory
A study in the September 2010 issue of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism reports that resveratrol at doses of 40 mg per day reduced inflammatory and oxidative stress in healthy adults.
Anti-Heart Disease
The Linus Pauling Institute reports that moderate alcohol consumption reduces the risk of heart disease but it is unclear if the resveratrol in red wine accentuates the protective effect of alcohol. This source concludes that currently there is not enough evidence to prove that resveratrol is protective against heart disease--especially at the levels present in one or two glasses of red wine.
References
- "Genes and Nutrition"; Longevity Nutrients Resveratrol, Wines and Grapes; Istvan Lekli et al.; March 2010
- "Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism"; An Antiinflammatory and Reactive Oxygen Species Suppressive Effects of an Extract of Polygonum cuspidatum Containing Resveratrol; H. Ghanim et al.; September 2010
- Linus Pauling Institute: Resveratrol
- "BioMed Central Neuroscience"; Therapeutic Potential of Resveratrol in Alzheimer's Disease; Valérie Vingtdeux et al.; December 2008
- Clinical Trials: Randomized Trial of a Nutritional Supplement in Alzheimer's Disease
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