Resveratrol supplements have many exciting health benefits, including the brain function and the reduction of blood pressure.
1. Resveratrol Inhibits Cancer Cells
Resveratrol can fight many types of cancer cells, including gastric, colon, hair, breast and prostate cancer in animals. However, resveratrol benefits in cancer prevention were complex.
This is how resveratrol fights cancer cells:
- It can prevent the replication and spread of cancer cells.
- It can change the genes expression in cancer cells to prevent their development.
- Resveratrol can interact with how other hormones are expressed, which can prevent the spread of hormone-dependent cancers.
Since the studies conducted in test tubes and animals, however, we need much more research to see if this compound could be used as human cancer therapy.
2. It Can Protect the Brain
Several studies have suggested that resveratrol in red wine have the benefits to slow down age associated cognitive decline. This can be because of resveratrol’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It appears to interfere with protein fragments called beta-amyloids, crucial to the formation of plaques that are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
In addition, it can set a chain of events up by the compound to protect brain cells from damage. While this research is exciting, scientists still have questions about how well the human body can make use of the additional resveratrol, limiting its immediate use as a brain-protecting supplement.
3. Helps Lower Blood Pressure
A 2015 study concluded high doses can help reduce pressure on the artery walls. Resveratrol can lower blood pressure because of its antioxidant properties.
Typically, systolic blood pressure increases with age as the arteries stiffen. It is a risk factor for heart disease when it is high. Resveratrol helps to produce more nitric oxide, which causes relaxation of the blood vessels.
However, the authors of this study say that more research is needed.
4. Increases Insulin Sensitivity
These animal studies show that resveratrol has several benefits for diabetes. Such advantages include increased sensitivity to insulin and the prevention of diabetes.
One way resveratrol function is that it can interrupt the conversion of glucose into sorbitol, sugar, alcohol, into a certain enzyme. It can cause cell-damaging oxidative stress when too much sorbitol builds up in people with diabetes.
Here are a few more benefits of resveratrol:
- Its antioxidants may help protect against oxidative stress.
- Resveratrol can reduce inflammation, which is a key contributor to chronic diseases, including diabetes.
- Activates AMPK a protein that helps to maintain low levels of blood sugar.
Resveratrol can provide people with diabetes even more benefits than those who don’t have it. In one animal study, red wine and resveratrol for rats with diabetes were reportedly more effective than in rats without diabetes.
Researchers say it may treat diabetes and its complications, but we need more research .
5. It May Relief Joint Pain
Arthritis is a common affliction that causes mobility problems and joint pain. Plant-based supplements are being studied to treat joint pain. Resveratrol may help protect cartilage from deterioration when taken as a supplement.
The breakdown of cartilage can cause joint pain and is one of the major arthritis symptoms. In one research injecting resveratrol into the knee joints of rabbits with arthritis decreased weakness in the cartilage of these rabbits.
Other research in test tubes and animals suggested the compound could reduce inflammation and prevent joint pain.
6. Influences Blood Fat
A 2016 study fed a mouse with high-protein and high-polyunsaturated fat diet and also supplied them with supplements of resveratrol. Researchers found that the mice’s average total cholesterol and body weight levels dropped, and their “good” HDL cholesterol levels increased.
Several animal studies have suggested that supplements of resveratrol may change blood fats. Resveratrol appears to influence levels of cholesterol by reducing the effect of an enzyme that controls the production of cholesterol.
It can also reduce the oxidation of bad LDL cholesterol as an antioxidant. In the artery walls, LDL oxidation contributes to plaque build-up. In one study, participants consumed grape extract with the extra resveratrol. Their LDL had dropped by 4.5 percent after six months of treatment and their oxidized LDL had dropped by 20 percent compared to participants taking an unenriched grape extract or placebo.
Bottom Line
Resveratrol is a powerful, high potential antioxidant, which has many health benefits, including improved heart and joint function. However, there is still a lack of clear guidance on dosage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Resveratrol act as an antioxidant plant compound. Red wine, grapes, some berries, and peanuts are rich in resveratrol. This compound appears to be mostly found in grapes, berries, and seeds.
There are no major risks or side effects in studies using resveratrol supplements. They seem to be well tolerated by healthy people.
However, it is essential to consume raw cocoa or red grapes to achieve optimal levels without wine. Red wine is the best source of resveratrol, without a doubt. Fresh red grapes will not have enough antioxidant levels unless they are left in your refrigerator to rot and ferment.
The recommended dosage to achieve the full benefits of resveratrol in studies are not clear. Every regular serving may be equal to 2 capsules in most cases.
Not inevitably. As a dietary supplement, one capsule per day is enough for most consumers to receive the desired results.
Resveratrol supplements are safe for individuals aged 11 or older. Not recommended for under 10 years.
It depends for what you’re using resveratrol supplements. It usually takes several days to see the results, and for most benefits, it takes one to two weeks.
No, the period of use is not limited. It can be used on a regular basis for its anti-aging health benefits.
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References
Resveratrol: A potential challenger against gastric cancer. World J Gastroenterol. 2015.
Resveratrol depresses the growth of colorectal aberrant crypt foci by affecting bax and p21(CIP) expression. Carcinogenesis. 2000.
Differential effects of resveratrol on androgen-responsive LNCaP human prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Carcinogenesis. 2008.
Resveratrol and Alzheimer’s disease: message in a bottle on red wine and cognition. Front Aging Neurosci. 2014.
Resveratrol as a Potential Therapeutic Candidate for the Treatment and Management of Alzheimer’s Disease. Curr Top Med Chem. 2016.
Effect of resveratrol on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clin Nutr. 2015.
Resveratrol and endothelial nitric oxide. Molecules. 2014.
Resveratrol and diabetes. Rev Diabet Stud. 2013.
Resveratrol and red wine function as antioxidants in the nervous system without cellular proliferative effects during experimental diabetes. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2010.
Scientific evidence and rationale for the development of curcumin and resveratrol as nutraceutricals for joint health. Int J Mol Sci. 2012.
Effects of resveratrol in inflammatory arthritis. Inflammation. 2007.
Regulation of inflammation signalling by resveratrol in human chondrocytes in vitro. Biochem Pharmacol. 2008.
Distinct metabolic effects of resveratrol on lipogenesis markers in mice adipose tissue treated with high-polyunsaturated fat and high-protein diets. Life Sci. 2016.
A study on the effect of resveratrol on lipid metabolism in hyperlipidemic mice. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2013.
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