Resveratrol is a natural substance present in grapes, wine and other vegetables, useful for protecting the heart and brain and beyond.
Resveratrol is a polyphenol with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which is found in grapes and other fruits.
What is Resveratrol
Resveratrol is a plant molecule found in several plants, including grapes.
It is a polyphenol, a natural substance that belongs to the chemical class of stilbenes and that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action.
In addition to grapes, the presence of resveratrol is known in wine, in the roots of Polygonum cuspidatum, a plant used for its laxative properties, and in numerous fruits.
On the market are available supplement with resveratrol extracted from plant sources or obtained by chemical synthesis. Supplements contain pure resveratrol, often associated with flavonoids, vitamins, minerals or other substances that work synergistically with this molecule, to increase its benefits.
Main functions of resveratrol
In plants, resveratorlo is produced with protective functions, in particular for defensive purposes against pathogens such as fungi and bacteria.
In our body, resveratrol has action:
- Antioxidant;
- anti-inflammatory;
- anti diabetic;
- neuroprotective.
What is resveratrol used for
Resveratrol is useful mainly to protect against cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke,but also to:
- Fight inflammation;
- slow down the aging processes;
- prevent neurodegenerative diseases;
- increase immune defenses;
- reduce the risk of developing tumors.
Benefits of Resveratrol
Taking resveratrol contributes to:
- Reduce blood pressure;
- decrease the levels of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and increase HDL cholesterol or “good cholesterol” with protective action on the cardiovascular system.
The anti-inflammatory properties of resveratrol make this substance useful even in case of chronic pain due to inflammatory processes.
Thanks to its antioxidant properties,resveratrol helps fight the harmful action of free radicals, protecting cells from oxidative stress and, consequently, from the onset of various diseases, including tumors.
The antioxidant action of resveratrol also brings benefits for the skin, improving its appearance. For this purpose, resveratrol is taken internally but also used externally, inserted into creams, serums and other products indicated to prevent loss of skin tone and elasticity and the formation of wrinkles.
The hair benefits of resveratrol may include slowing white hair growth and hair loss due to aging.
The benefits of resveratrol for menopause are also interesting. This natural substance is in fact able to reduce the symptoms associated with menopause, relieving:
- Hot flashes;
- excessive night sweats;
- insomnia;
- mood disorders.
Where is he
Resveratrol is present in significant quantities in the roots of Polygonum cuspidatum,a perennial herbaceous plant of Asian origin and in the skin of black grapes, in grape juice, in red wine. Other foods that contain resveratrol are:
- Peanut;
- black mulberry berries;
- blueberries;
- red fruits;
- cocoa.
Resveratrol in wine
Resveratrol is contained in red wine, in varying amounts. It was thanks to the consumption of wine that the benefits of resveratrol became clear.
At the beginning of the nineties, in fact, researchers compared the diet of French and Americans and realized that among the French the incidence of cardiovascular diseases was lower, despite their diet included abundant portions of cheese, therefore high amounts of saturated fats.
The difference between the diet of the French and that of the Americans is that the former also included red wine. The phenomenon, known as the paradox French, brought out the protective action of resveratrol present in red wine.
Today, however, we know that alcoholic beverages produce significant damage to our body and, since resveratrol is also found in other foods and beverages, it is better to resort to healthier alternatives to take it, limiting the consumption of wine.
Contraindications of resveratrol
The side effects of resveratrol are not known and there are no particular contraindications in taking this substance. Resveratrol is in fact a natural molecule contained in food, considered safe and non-toxic.
As for resveratrol supplements, which contain higher amounts of resveratrol than foods, they have the same contraindications as flavonoids and are therefore not recommended in pregnancy and lactation. Finally, it is recommended to consult your doctor before taking, especially in the presence of pathologies or if you are taking medications.
