Resveratrol Review & Information: What Benefits Does Resveratrol Offer?

Resveratrol is a compound produced by grapes, other fruits and some nuts. It is produced as a defense against bacteria and fungi and is believed to have a range of beneficial health effects. It is an anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory agent that may have anti-cancer properties as well. In grapes, resveratrol is highly concentrated in the skin and seeds. It is also found in red wine in relatively high amounts.

Resveratrol is available as a nutritional supplement derived from the skin and seeds of grapes or from the residue left when red wine is produced. It is classified as a nutraceutical rather than a dietary supplement, and it has been studied recently for a number of possible health applications.

For example, it is believed that resveratrol may help to protect blood vessels from damage due to the presence of substances known as oligomeric procyanidins. Interestingly, longevity is relatively high in areas of the world such as France, where the consumption of red wine that contains these compounds is highest.

This has led to an increased interest in resveratrol in the last ten or fifteen years. In fact, news reports of notable scientists who include resveratrol in their daily supplement routine caused sales of the product to increase dramatically in 2006.

Resveratrol is of particular interest for its possible anti-cancer effects. Cell culture tests have shown that the compound appears to interfere with the three stages of cancer development - the initiation of cancer cells, promotion of cancer cells and progression of the disease.

Resveratrol may also interfere with the development and progression of neurological diseases like Huntington's and Alzheimer's. Tests have not been conducted with human subjects, however.

Studies have also been conducted on the anti-aging effects of resveratrol. A study done at Harvard University and published in 2003 showed that resveratrol significantly extended the lifespan of yeast. Later studies showed an increase in the lifespan of worms, fruit flies, one kind of fish, and in 2006, in mice. Because of these results, it has been hypothesized that resveratrol may have anti-aging effect on humans.

Further, it may help improve athletic performance. In 2006, a study conducted at the Institute of Genetics and Molecular Cell Biology in France noted that mice fed resveratrol for 15 weeks were able to endure exercise better than those who were not fed the supplement.

Supplements of resveratrol are available in capsule and powdered form. While there is no typical or recommended dosage amount, capsules are usually 250 mg or 500 mg each and doses as low as 100 mg per day may be effective. While resveratrol shows a great deal of promise, it is apparently similar in structure to phytoestrogens and should perhaps be avoided by women who are pregnant or may become pregnant and by those who are concerned about breast cancer.

In general, however, resveratrol is considered safe and no specific adverse health effects have been reported. In fact, one study suggested that the compound may actual help to fight the development of breast cancer.

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