Resveratrol

October 2, 2020

This article provides general nutrition information only and is not medical advice.

Overview

Resveratrol is a chemical found in red wine, red grape skins, purple grape juice, mulberries, and in smaller amounts in peanuts. It is used as a medicine.

Resveratrol is most commonly used for high lipid balance, cancer, heart condition, and many other conditions. However, there is not strong evidence to support the use of resveratrol for these uses.

Classification

Is a Form of:

Chemical found in red wine

Primary Functions:

High Lipid balance, cancer, heart conditions

Also Known As:

Phytoalexin, Phytoalexine, Phytoestrogen, Phyto-&oelig;strogène, Pilule de Vin

How Does It Work?

Resveratrol might expand blood vessels and reduce the activity of cells important in blood clotting. Some research suggests that resveratrol has weak estrogen (a female hormone) effects. It may also decrease pain and swelling (physical strain).

Uses

Hay fever. Using a nasal spray containing resveratrol three times daily for 4 weeks seems to reduce allergy concerns in adults with seasonal allergies. Using a nasal spray containing resveratrol and beta-glucans three times daily for 2 months also seems to reduce allergy concerns in children with seasonal allergies.
Obesity. Some research shows that taking resveratrol can increase weight loss in obese adults.

Recommended Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

ADULTS

BY MOUTH:

For seasonal allergies (hay fever): Two sprays of a 0.1% resveratrol nasal spray into each nostril three times/day for up to 4 weeks.
For obesity: 500 mg or less of resveratrol daily for 3 months or longer.

Resveratrol Supplements Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of resveratrol?

Much of the human research has used supplements that contain high levels of resveratrol.

ResveratrolSupplements May Help Lower cardiovascular health.
It Has a Positive Effect on Blood Fats.
It Lengthens Lifespan in Certain Animals.
It Protects the Brain.
It May Increase Insulin Sensitivity.
It May Ease Joint Pain.

How much resveratrol should I take daily?

The dosages in most resveratrol supplements are typically much lower than the amounts that have been shown beneficial in research. Most supplements contain 250 to 500 milligrams. To get the dose used in some studies, people would have to consume 2 grams of resveratrol (2,000 milligrams) or more a day.

Who should not take resveratrol?

Resveratrol has been reported to hinder human platelet aggregation in vitro [155,156]. Presumably, high resveratrol intakes in the form of supplements could enhance both bruising and bleeding risk when taken with anticoagulant drugs, antiplatelet drugs and even non-steroidal joint comfort drugs (NSAIDs).

Can Resveratrol reverse aging?

Resveratrol does provide anti-aging benefits, study shows. After some debate, Harvard Medical School researchers are saying they have confirmed that compound resveratrol that's found in red wine does provide anti-aging benefits.

Can Resveratrol cause hair loss?

A study in the Oxford Journal showed a link between resveratrol and cardiovascular health and how it promotes blood flow to the hair follicle. When it's not as strong as it could be, it reduces the ability for the body to have hair growth.

Should you take resveratrol supplements?

There also isn't any specific dosage recommendation, and how much you should take can vary from supplement to supplement. The dosages in most resveratrol supplements are typically much lower than the amounts that have been shown beneficial in research. Most supplements contain 250 to 500 milligrams.

Does Resveratrol actually work?

But beyond being a healthful part of red wine and other foods, resveratrol has health-boosting potential in its own right. In fact, resveratrol supplements have been linked to many exciting health benefits, including protecting brain function and lowering cardiovascular health.

What does Resveratrol do for your face?

Applied topically, resveratrol helps protect skin's surface, interrupts and helps rebuff negative environmental influences, and brightens a tired-looking complexion. It also has significant skin-calming properties that may help minimize the look of redness. Look for resveratrol in moisturizers and eye creams.

Does resveratrol have any side effects?

Resveratrol does not appear to have side effects at short-term doses (1.0 g). Otherwise, at doses of 2.5 g or more per day, side effects may occurs, like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and liver dysfunction in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver condition.

Does Resveratrol boost immune system?

By interacting with several molecular targets, resveratrol regulates innate and adaptive immunity [11]. It has been reported that resveratrol modulates immune function in a dose dependent manner, at low doses resveratrol stimulates the immune system, whereas at high doses it induces immunosuppression [12].

Is Resveratrol good for your liver?

Recent studies demonstrated that resveratrol has many wellbeing effects on liver imbalances. It provided liver protection against chemical, cholestatic, and alcohol injury. Resveratrol can improve glucose metabolism and lipid profile and decrease liver fibrosis and steatosis.

Is Resveratrol joint comfort?

Resveratrol can help to reduce physical strain, study finds. Resveratrol belongs to a group of compounds called polyphenols that are thought to act like antioxidants and protect the body against damage. It has long been considered a wellbeing agent for various conditions, including inflammatory conditions.

Does resveratrol increase estrogen?

Resveratrol also increased the expression of native estrogen-regulated genes, and it stimulated the proliferation of estrogen-dependent T47D breast cancer cells. We conclude that resveratrol is a phytoestrogen and that it exhibits variable degrees of estrogen receptor agonism in different test systems.

Does Resveratrol help you sleep?

Studies show dietary resveratrol may help strengthen sleep-wake cycles. It's ability to alleviate chronic pain and improve mood may also contribute to the sleep-promoting effects of resveratrol.

What foods are high in resveratrol?

Food sources

Resveratrol is found in grapes, wine, grape juice, peanuts, cocoa, and berries of Vaccinium species, including blueberries, bilberries, and cranberries (140-143).

Is resveratrol an plant compounds?

Resveratrol has shown a high plant compounds potential that can be explored in both human and animal viral immune challenges.

Can Resveratrol cause stress?

In a study on mice, researchers revealed that PDE4, induced by excessive amounts of corticosterone, causes low mood- and stress-like behavior. Resveratrol displayed neuroprotective effects against corticosterone by inhibiting the expression of PDE4.

Can you take too much resveratrol?

Side Effects & Safety

When taken in doses up to 1500 mg daily for up to 3 months, resveratrol is POSSIBLY SAFE. Higher doses of up to 2000-3000 mg daily have been used safely for 2-6 months. However, these higher doses of resveratrol are more likely to cause stomach problems.

How much resveratrol is in blueberries?

Blueberries. Blueberries, like red wine, are a source of resveratrol, but at a few micrograms per berry you'd have to eat more than 10,000 berries a day to get the active dose.

Can Resveratrol cause dizziness?

Because of the studies completed on mice, Resveratrol has already been created into a natural supplement. Resveratrol supplements have up to 100mg of resveratrol. Thus it is prescribed to take only the required amount as an overdose can cause dizziness and some circulation imbalances.

Can Resveratrol cause headaches?

Resveratrol – a cause or help maintain for migraine? A pilot study in premenopausal women. We have shown that resveratrol acts by enhancing endothelial vasodilator function, which has led others to suggest that resveratrol in red wine may be a cause of migraine.

What fruit has the most resveratrol?

Food sources

Resveratrol is found in grapes, wine, grape juice, peanuts, cocoa, and berries of Vaccinium species, including blueberries, bilberries, and cranberries (140-143). In grapes, resveratrol is found only in the skins (144).

Does resveratrol increase energy?

Resveratrol has been described as mimicking caloric restriction, leading to improved exercise performance and insulin sensitivity (increasing energy expenditure), as well as having a body fat-lowering effect by inhibiting adipogenesis, and increasing lipid mobilization in adipose tissue.

How many milligrams of resveratrol should I take?

Can Resveratrol cause acne?

Resveratrol inhibits growth of acne-causing bacteria. The antioxidant resveratrol inhibits Propionibacterium acnes growth. When researchers cultured human skin cells and blood cells with the two compounds to test toxicity, they found resveratrol was less cytotoxic than benzoyl peroxide.

Clinical Studies

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