8 Health Benefits of Resveratrol
While your daily glass of wine may not be as good for you as you would like to think, there are some important health benefits of resveratrol that you may want to take note of…
Much has been made in recent years about the health benefits of resveratrol – and especially its ability to help combat some of the signs and symptoms of aging.
Resveratrol is a naturally occurring compound (called a polyphenol) that is found in a number of foods, including grapes, berries, and cocoa. This compound helps to prevent the cell-damaging effects of oxidation that can happen due to the aging process, as well as lifestyle and environmental factors. It is also an anti-inflammatory, and may help to prevent some of the diseases we associate with aging and promote increased longevity, as well as better cardiovascular and brain health. A recent study published in the journal Neuropharmacology found that resveratrol may also be an effective alternative to drugs for treating patients suffering from depression and anxiety disorders.
However, before you go crazy with the red wine and chocolate, there are a few things you should know about resveratrol.
First of all, as this article points out, “While resveratrol, which is a fat-soluble compound, is well absorbed in people, the levels from wine that could actually make a difference are low because it is quickly metabolized and eliminated.[*]“
Sorry folks, if you want the full effect of the benefits that resveratrol can provide, you’ll likely have to spring for some supplements. However, if you already enjoy a glass of red wine now and then, at least you now know it has some redeeming qualities… 🙂
Much of resveratrol’s health benefits come from its antioxidant properties. Here are 8 important health benefits of resveratrol that may make it worth adding to your daily supplement regimen:
- Resveratrol has been shown to inhibit oxygen free radicals by suppressing pro-oxidative genes[*]
- Resveratrol improves antioxidant defense by increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes[*]
- Resveratrol can inhibit enzymes that have been shown to be damaging to a variety of cells in the body[*][*][*]
- Resveratrol can improve cardiovascular function by reducing inflammation in the blood vessels and enhance the process of clearing cholesterol from the vascular system[*]
- Resveratrol promotes the degeneration of plaques that can interfere with the function of neurons[*][*]
- Resveratrol can improve the activation of a process called glycolysis, which breaks down glucose and decreases glucose levels[*][*]
- Resveratrol can reduce fat cell synthesis and increase lipolysis (or fat breakdown) through mediating mitochondria function, which is important for weight management[*]
- Resveratrol can improve insulin secretion and help regulate insulin resistance, protecting the only cells that produce insulin (called beta-pancreatic cells)[*]
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