7 Health Benefits of Resveratrol Supplements

Resveratrol is crucial to protect the body from free radical cellular damage that is responsible for the development of some age-related diseases. Free radicals form in the body naturally from food breakdown, smoking cigarettes, and radiation exposure. 

1. Helps lower blood pressure:
   • Some studies report that resveratrol helps reduce the pressure exerted on the artery walls when the heart beats.
   • Resveratrol may help produce more nitric oxide, which causes the blood vessels to relax, thus lowering blood pressure.
2. Assists with increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol:
   • The antioxidant property in resveratrol promotes high levels of HDL (good) cholesterol and low levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol.
   • Numerous studies have reported resveratrol’s role in preventing and managing cardiovascular diseases through exhibiting its protective effects against blood vessel damage, lowering blood cholesterol levels, and preventing blood clots.  
3. Helps reduce blood clotting:
   • Polyphenols appear to improve the function of blood vessels and may help slow down the formation of blood clots. 
   • Red wine, when consumed responsibly, can help reduce clot formation.
4. Positively affects the brain and heart health:
   • Neuroinflammation (inflammation of parts of the nervous system) is one factor that contributes to the progression of brain-related problems, such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and multiple sclerosis.
   • Resveratrol possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and affects cells in the body by protecting them from damage.
   • It has neuroprotective qualities that provide a protective lining for the blood vessels and prevent insult or injury.
   • Moreover, it helps preserve memory and brain function, as well as prevents heart disease and strokes.
5. Increases insulin sensitivity:
   • Resveratrol has demonstrated its health benefits for people with type II diabetes in several studies. 
   • Resveratrol stimulates weight loss in people who are overweight and obese, improving insulin action on the muscle cells.
   • Resveratrol reverses insulin resistance, lowers blood sugar levels, and even lowers elevated blood pressure, a condition many people with diabetes have.
6. Eases joint pain:
   • Resveratrol may help protect cartilage from deteriorating, thus preventing joint pain and arthritis.
   • Some animal studies have reported that the compound has the potential to reduce inflammation and prevent damage to the joints.
7. Suppresses cancer cells:
   • Several studies report that resveratrol could help prevent and treat certain types of cancer.
   • Resveratrol has anti-tumor effects including inhibiting cancer cell growth, cell signaling, angiogenesis, and promoting cell death. 
   • Additionally, researchers have found that resveratrol makes chemotherapy more effective by blocking chemotherapy-resistant proteins.

Resveratrol is a polyphenol—a naturally occurring highly powerful antioxidant found in red grape skin, Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum; a plant source with the highest resveratrol content), peanuts, blueberries, and some other berries. 

It is most prominent in the skin of grapes and shines through in natural grape juice and red wine (3 to 10 times more than white wine).

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, which are believed to be the cause of aging.

Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant that can help prevent cell damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable atoms accumulated due to pollution, sunlight, and our natural fat-burning process.

This accumulation of free radicals can lead to cancer, aging, and brain degeneration. 

Similar to other antioxidants, resveratrol contains various protective qualities that may help your body perform several daily processes and fight off illness.

Resveratrol has a fairly low toxicity level and is reasonably well tolerated up to five grams per day in most people. However, it could cause a reaction in those who are allergic to grapes or wine.

Although the amount of resveratrol naturally contained in foods is considered safe for daily consumption, studies have reported that when resveratrol supplements are consumed in higher doses, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal issues can occur.

Moreover, supplements are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, making it uncertain to know the amount of resveratrol that a product claims.

Resveratrol is found naturally in some plant foods. Add resveratrol to your diet by eating foods such as peanuts, grapes, blueberries, raspberries, and mulberries. Red wine is also a good source of resveratrol.

Because there is no specific recommended daily allowance for resveratrol, the amount you should take can vary from supplement to supplement. 

Supplements may contain 100, 250, or 500 mg of resveratrol per capsule.

People with the following conditions should avoid resveratrol supplements:

• Bleeding disorders
• Estrogen sensitivity (endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or reproductive cancer)
• Before any surgery
• Medication interactions (on anticoagulants such as warfarin, heparin, naproxen, ibuprofen, and aspirin)
• People on blood pressure drugs, cancer treatments, monoamine oxidase inhibitor antidepressants, antiviral and antifungal medicines, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women (lack of evidence)