Resveratrol is a compound found in foods such as grape skins, and is therefore present in red wine. In fact, researchers suspect that red wine is the more potent source of resveratrol. Resveratrol may provide a number of health benefits, especially with regards to diabetes. However, consult your doctor before trying to prevent, treat or cure any condition with resveratrol.
Cardiovascular Disease
Diabetes can sometimes lead to cardiovasuclar disease. Oxidative stress is a major contributor to atherosclerosis, or the hardening of the arteries. Oxidative stress refers to a process that produces harmful compounds called free radicals that attach to and destroy healthy cells. Resveratrol may help prevent this from occurring. A study published in June 2007 in "Recent Patents on Cardiovascular Drug Discovery" found that trans resveratrol protects against oxidative cellular damage that leads to heart problems such as atherosclerosis and ventricular arrhythmias, or an irregular heartbeat caused by short circuiting. The researchers recommend resveratrol as a preventative against heart disease.
Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance is when the natural hormone insulin is ineffective at lowering blood sugar. There is some evidence that suggests resveratrol has anti-diabetes effects in the body. According to an article published in April 2011 in "Diabetes," resveratrol has been found to effectively improve insulin resistance in rodent studies. The authors describe resveratrol as a potential benefit for several factors associated with diabetes, including dyslipidemia, in addition to insulin resistance. Dyslipidemia is a condition where the body cannot regulate the levels of fats, such as cholesterols, in the blood.
Diet-Induced Diabetes
Resveratrol may help to improve diet-induced diabetic symptoms. A study published in 2009 in "Endocrinology" found that resveratrol supplementation leads to changes in the central nervous system that affect the onset of diabetes when given orally to rats with type 2 diabetes. There are central nervous system neurons that regulate the balance of glucose and insulin.
Renal Protection
Kidney failure sometimes accompanies diabetes. Resveratrol may help to protect the livers of people with type 2 diabetes. An animal study published in January 2011 in "Diabetes" found that mice given resveratrol in their chow showed evidence of protection from liver injury. Specifically, it was found to have antioxidant properties, meaning that it protects cells from damage or death from destructive compounds.
References
- "Recent Patents on Cardiovascular Drug Discovery"; Resveratrol: A Therapeutic Promise for Cardiovascular Diseases; Samarjit Das & Dipak K. Das; June 2007
- "Diabetes"; SIRT1 Takes a Backseat to AMPK in the Regulation of Insulin Sensitivity by Resveratrol; Morgan D. Fullerton & Gregory R. Steinberg; April 2007
- "Endocrinology"; Central Administration of Resveratrol Improves Diet-Induced Diabetes; Giorgio Ramadori, Laurent Gautron, Teppei Fujikawa, et al.; 2009
- "Diabetes"; Resveratrol Improves Oxidative Stress and Protects Against Diabetic Nephropathy Through Normalization of Mn-SOD Dysfunction in AMPK/SIRT1-Independent Pathway; Munehiro Kitada, Shinji Kume, Noriko Imaizumi, et al.; January 2011
