Benefits Of Resveratrol Explained

Resveratrol is a compound that is found in the skin of red grapes. It is the primary substance that is responsible for red wine's purported health benefits, and it is also found in peanuts, blueberries, cranberries, mulberries, spruce and eucalyptus. The richest source of resveratrol, however, is a Chinese herb called Polygonum cuspidatum.

Anti-Aging

Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant and free radical scavenger. Supporters of resveratrol tout it as a powerful anti-aging substance. Memorial Sloan Cancer Center, or MSKCC, states that in preliminary studies done on yeast cells, resveratrol enhanced longevity markedly, however, no studies have been done on humans to confirm this theory. The exact mechanism of action for resveratrol is unknown, but ScienceDaily.com reports that it seems to activate an enzyme called SIRT1, which has been linked to DNA repair and longevity.

Cardiovascular Health

Resveratrol has been found to promote cardiovascular health, and it may help to both prevent and treat cardiovascular disease. According to MSKCC, it can reduce unhealthy LDL cholesterol levels and prevent blood clots, and it may also help to prevent coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis.

Cancer

Resveratrol may also help to prevent and treat certain types of cancer. "Principles & Practice of Pediatric Oncology" reports that resveratrol has anti-angiogenesis properties, which means that it stops tumors from making new blood vessels, and without a blood supply, tumors can't grow. MSKCC notes that studies have found resveratrol to inhibit the growth of oral and breast cancer cells and also to prevent leukemia cells from replicating.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition characterized by an inability to produce, or an insensitivity to, the hormone insulin. Insulin is needed to regulate blood sugar levels; consequently, diabetics suffer from chronic high blood sugar levels. A study done by Cell Press and cited on ScienceDaily.com, found that resveratrol can improve insulin sensitivity in mice. These effects have not been studied on humans however, and the dose given to the rats was equivalent to the dose of resveratrol found in 100 to 1,000 bottles of red wine.

Precautions

Resveratrol has been found to mimic the hormone estrogen in the body. Due to this effect, MSKCC advises patients with hormone-sensitive cancers such as prostate cancer to avoid resveratrol. It may also cause an increased risk for bleeding in patients on anti-platelet drugs. For safety purposes, you should talk to your health care practitioner before taking a resveratrol supplement.