If you’ve learned that grapes can help lower cholesterol, you’ve heard about resveratrol the hyped plant compound found in both red and green grapes. Resveratrol supplements have many exciting health benefits, including the brain function and the reduction of blood pressure. Here are 6 health benefits of resveratrol supplements.
1. Resveratrol May Inhibit Cancer Cells
Resveratrol can fight many types of cancer cells, including gastric, colon, hair, breast and prostate cancer in animals. However, resveratrol results in test tubes to prevent cancer were complex (1, 2, 3, 4, 5).
This is how resveratrol fights cancer cells:
- It can prevent the replication and spread of cancer cells (6).
- It can change the genes expression in cancer cells to prevent their development (7).
- Resveratrol can interact with how other hormones are expressed, which can prevent the spread of hormone-dependent cancers (8).
Since the studies in test tubes and animals conducted so far, however, we need much more research to see if and how this compound could be used for human cancer therapy.
2. It Can Protect the Brain
Several studies have suggested that resveratrol in red wine can help slow down the cognitive decline associated with age. This can be because of resveratrol’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory role. It appears to interfere with protein fragments called beta-amyloids, crucial to the formation of plaques that are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (8, 9, 10, 11).
In addition, it can set a chain of events up by the compound to protect brain cells from damage. While this research is intriguing, 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 (12, 13, 14).
3. May Help Lower Blood Pressure
A 2015 review concluded that high doses can help reduce pressure on the artery walls. Resveratrol lower blood pressure because of its antioxidant properties (15, 16).
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 (17).
However, the authors of this study say that more research is needed.
4. It May Increase 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 problems (18, 19).
One reason for how resveratrol functions are 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 (20, 21).
Here are a few more benefits (22):
- Its antioxidant action 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 (23).
Researchers say that it may use the compound to treat diabetes and its complications, but it needs 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 and preventing it. Resveratrol may help protect cartilage from deterioration when taken as a supplement (24, 25, 26).
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 (27, 28).
Other research in test tubes and animals suggested that the compound could reduce inflammation and prevent joint damage (29, 30).
6. Resveratrol Has a Positive Effect on Blood Fats
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 (31).
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 (32, 33, 34).
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 (35, 36, 37).
The Bottom Line
Resveratrol is a powerful, high potential antioxidant. It has many health benefits, including improved heart and joint health. 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 and 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.
Yes, and no. Grapes, some berries, and peanuts are also rich in resveratrol. 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 listed in the studies is 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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