RESVERATROL
Resveratrol is one of the strongest antioxidants that help protect our body from the effects of free radicals. It is mostly obtained from red grapes, and has an extremely beneficial effect on the health of the heart and blood vessels and the whole organism in general. Resveratrol is a polyphenol in terms of composition, even called the elixir of youth because of the benefits it provides to the elderly. Although its most famous source is grapes and certain varieties of red wine, resveratrol is also found in berries (raspberries, blueberries, blackberries) and peanuts, but in much smaller quantities.
Resveratrol is a polyphenic bioflavonoid antioxidant produced by certain plants and found in foods and beverages known to stop the effects of aging. Resveratrol is classified as a phytoestrogen due to its ability to interact with estrogen receptors in a positive way. Plants that produce resveratrol and other types of antioxidants actually do so in part as a protective mechanism and response to the DANGERS that surround them. Today, resveratrol is believed to be one of the most potent polyphenols and the strongest protector against symptoms associated with aging and free radical damage.
Studies show that the naturally most abundant sources of resveratrol (not to mention many other protective phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals) are plants, including the skin of red grapes, red wine, raw cocoa, and dark berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Red wine is probably the most well-known source, mainly due to its high levels thanks to the fermentation process that converts grape juice into alcohol. During the production of red wine, grape seeds and skin are fermented in grape juices, which has a positive effect on the level and availability of resveratrol. The benefits of resveratrol were first discovered when researchers found that animals that ate foods containing a lot of resveratrol,lived much longer than others.
Health benefits
- It has anti-aging and anti-cancer effects
Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals produced during daily bodily functions, such as eating and exercising. Free radical damage accelerates due to poor lifestyle habits such as smoking, unhealthy diet, and in response to environmental pollution and toxicity. If left unchecked, free radicals can damage cells and are thought to be the cause of life-threatening diseases and earlier death.
Aging is the result of many factors on the body. The accumulation of oxidative stress, low-grade inflammation and cellular apoptosis is a prominent characteristic of the progression of aging. In addition, growing evidence shows that mitochondrial dysfunction and imbalances of the gut microsystem contribute to aging…
IMPORTANTLY, STUDIES PROVE THAT RESVERATROL STIMULATES AUTOPHAGY is one of the body’s most powerful anti-aging tools. Autophagy is a metabolic process that cells use to break down and recycle cellular components and expel their own waste products from the body. The word itself comes from the Greek words auto (only) and phagein (eating), which translates as “to eat oneself”. Basically, it is a mechanism in the body by which the body gets rid of all “broken” or damaged cells (organelles, proteins and cell membranes) when there is no longer enough energy to maintain them. It is a regulated and orderly metabolic process of degradation and recycling of cellular components.
There is a similar process called apoptosis, also known as programmed cell death. Cells are programmed to die after a certain number of divisions. This process is essential for maintaining good health. Cells become old and worthless, so it is better that they are programmed to die when their “useful life” is over. The process of apoptosis is when the cells in our body are destined to die after a certain amount of time.
Giving up nutrients is a key activator of autophagy. Glucagon is in some ways the opposite of insulin. If insulin rises, glucagon decreases. If insulin drops, glucagon rises. For example, when we eat food, insulin rises and glucagon goes down. When we don’t eat (i.e. fast), insulin goes down and glucagon rises. This increase in glucagon stimulates the process of autophagy. In fact, glucagon-raising fasting is the biggest known stimulus for autophagy.
In summary, resveratrol extends lifespan by inducing autophagy, reducing oxidative stress, and promoting neuroprotection.
Autophagy is a form of cellular cleansing. The body recognizes old and useless cellular equipment and marks it for destruction. It is the accumulation of “junk material” in the body that can be responsible for many of the consequences of aging.
Eating plant-based foods rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients has been shown to offer antioxidant, anticancer, and antitumor benefits that protect adults from many age-related diseases.
One of the most striking biological activities of resveratrol that has been well researched during its late years has been its chemopreventive potential for cancer. In fact, it has recently been shown to block the multistep process of carcinogenesis at different stages: tumor initiation, promotion, and progression.
- Protects cardiovascular health
Due to its anti-inflammatory effects, resveratrol has been shown to offer protection against atherosclerosis (thickening of the arteries that interrupt blood flow), high LDL “bad cholesterol”, blood clot formation and myocardial violations. Consuming more has also been shown to help improve circulation and have a beneficial effect on glucose and lipid metabolism in some at higher risk for metabolic syndrome. Itadori tea, one significant source of resveratrol, has long been used in Asian countries, including Japan and China, as a traditional herbal remedy for preventing heart disease and strokes. - Helps protect the brain and cognitive/mental health
Studies have consistently shown that resveratrol can have a positive effect on brain health, including memory, focus, and learning. It is also possible that resveratrol has neuroprotective effects that may protect against Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Studies show that resveratrol improves blood flow to the brain, which helps protect against vascular dementia and stroke. Studies in rats have shown that resveratrol improves memory and learning abilities in rodents with vascular dementia because it reduces oxidative stress in the brain.
Recent studies have shown that resveratrol has the potential to treat Alzheimer’s disease. One clinical study published in 2015 used 119 subjects with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease and the results turned out to be very promising. Patients treated with high doses of resveratrol over the course of a year showed improved biomarkers compared to the placebo group.
- May help prevent obesity
Resveratrol has a beneficial effect on the control of fat storage in the body and prevents uncontrolled insulin war. All this contributes to the fight against obesity. Resveratrol can reduce hyperglycemia and may also be beneficial in the prevention and/or treatment of diabetes. Resveratrol may be beneficial for those with diabetes and prediabetes by reducing complications (such as nerve damage and heart damage) and helping to manage insulin levels. This phytoestrogen is known to have a positive effect on insulin secretion and insulin concentration in the blood.
5.Eye Health and Resveratrol
As we age, we are more prone to eye damage resulting in poorer vision. Many foods are known to be good for eye health, especially those rich in beta-carotene and vitamins C and E. A recent study by researchers in Missouri found that resveratrol may protect your eye health by regulating angiogenesis and preventing the growth of abnormal blood vessels that can impair vision. - Potentially improve renal function
A 2023 study on resveratrol found that it slightly improved renal function in the general adult population. Further evidence in patients with impaired renal function will be needed before it can be advocated as adjuvant therapy.
As you approach middle age, testosterone levels begin to decline and which can cause a number of problems, including sexual dysfunction. A Korean study conducted with mice found that resveratrol can significantly increase testosterone levels while improving sperm count and sperm motility.
Whether you’re a serious athlete or trying to increase your performance level, resveratrol may be able to give you the boost you need. A Canadian study published in 2012 found that supplementing with resveratrol resulted in significantly greater endurance, improved cardiac function, and improved oxidative metabolism. Research shows that resveratol has antiviral and antibacterial effects…
Resveratrol is most commonly used by adults in doses of 250-1000 mg by mouth daily for up to 3 months.