Resveratrol is most closely associated with red wine as part of the "French Paradox" that notes a lower rate of coronary heart disease in France despite a culture of saturated fat consumption and cigarette smoking. Because of this potential association between protection against disease and resveratrol consumption, research into potential benefits of this compound has become a hot topic of study, although few human studies have been done yet.
Description
Resveratrol is a stilbene, a type of phytochemical produced by plants in response to stress that may provide health benefits when consumed. Once in the body, resveratrol is metabolized rapidly and excreted from the body. Because of this, the bioavailability of resveratrol may be quite low and not much may be able to be used before being eliminated.
Sources
Grapes are a major source of resveratrol, with 0.24 mg to 1.25 mg per cup of red grapes. When grapes are made into red wine, a 5 oz glass contains between 0.29 mg and 1.89 mg of resveratrol. A glass of white wine has .01 mg to .27 mg per 5-oz serving. In the same amount of red grape juice, there is .17 mg to 1.3 mg of resveratrol. Peanuts are another good source, with .32 mg to 1.28 mg in a cup of boiled peanuts. Peanut butter has .04 mg to .13 mg per cup.
Potential Benefits
Aside from the possible use of resveratrol to provide protection against cardiovascular disease, this compound has also been linked to longevity and protection against certain types of cancer. In a June 2010 presentation at the American Diabetes Association meeting in Anaheim, California, researchers showed that high doses of resveratrol improved insulin response, which may help provide protection against diabetes and obesity.
Dose
According to MayoClinic.com, the doses used in most animal studies of resveratrol involved amounts equivalent to 100 to 1,000 bottles of red wine a day, not a feasible option for actual consumption. However, human studies done on red wine suggest that one to two glasses per day provide benefits to heart health, which may or may not be the result of the action of resveratrol in the wine. Further studies are needed to determine appropriate dosing or use of resveratrol supplements.
Considerations
Because so few studies have been done on resveratrol in humans, the activity and benefits remain largely unverified. Resveratrol supplements may not confer the same benefits that natural resveratrol does, since in foods the compound may interact with other components, such as antioxidant flavonoids.
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