Resveratrol is an antioxidant in the polyphenol category, a group of molecules found in several plants, notably grapes, peanuts and berries. Research has yielded promising results for the health benefits of resveratrol at preventing and possibly reversing heart disease in some people. You can obtain recommended dosages of resveratrol through diet, supplementation or a combination of both. Consult with your doctor about using resveratrol to treat a medical condition.
French Paradox
Resveratrol may be at the heart of the French paradox, the name given to the low levels of heart disease among French people despite the high fat content of the typical French diet, says Mark Stengler, author of the book "The Natural Physician's Healing Therapies." A supplemental dose of 200 mg per day may be used for general health. Specific conditions may require higher doses. In one animal study, researchers found that resveratrol prevented diabetes at doses equal to the amount you would obtain by drinking 1,000 bottles of red wine a day.
Red Wine
Resveratrol as a component of red wine may benefit those seeking to prevent a second heart attack, says registered dietitian and Ph.D. Janet Brill, author of the book "Prevent a Second Heart Attack: 8 Foods, 8 Weeks to Reverse Heart Disease." Moderate alcohol consumption may decrease your risk of dying from coronary artery disease by 20 to 50 percent. Two glass of of wine a day for men and one glass per day for women significantly decreased atherosclerotic plaque formation in coronary arteries in a study that monitored heart attack survivors over a four-year period. Red wine consumption reduced participants risk for a second heart attack by 50 percent. However, consuming red wine at levels exceeding these moderate levels may negate these health benefits. Consult with your doctor about using red wine as a source of resveratrol.
Supplement and Wine Content
Most resveratrol supplements in the United States contain from 10 to 50 mg of resveratrol, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. The resveratrol content in wines varies. Spanish red wine contains as much as 1.89 mg per 5 oz. glass., while the global average for resveratrol content in red wines is as much as 1.07 mg per 5 oz. glass. Red grape juice provides up to 1.3 mg per 5 oz. glass, and white wines contain up to 0.27 mg per 5 oz. glass.
Considerations
Adverse effects of resveratrol have not been reported, but only a small number of studies have been done on humans. In one human study, a 5 mg dose was used safely, and animal studies have used doses up to 300 mg per kg body weight for for four weeks with no adverse effects. Jane Higdon, Ph.D., writing for the Linus Pauling Institute, cautions that resveratrol exerts estrogen-like effects and may interact with prescription drugs. Consult your doctor about using resveratrol to treat a medical condition.
Member Comments