Resveratrol FAQ
Q: What is Resveratrol?
A: Resveratrol is a naturally occurring antibiotic (known as a phytoalexin) that is produced by several plants including grapes, cocoa, and peanuts as protection against the onslaught of pathogens such as bacteria and fungi. It is also classified as a polyphenol (antioxidants that are also produced by plants), and like other polyphenols, resveratrol has gained fame for its protection of blood vessels in the heart. Resveratrol is often referenced these days in articles about the health benefits of red wine. That’s because resveratrol is commonly found in plants with dark skinned fruits such as grapes, pomegranates, blueberries, mulberries, rasberries, and cranberries. It is also found in other fruits and vegetables, including peanuts and Japanese knotweed, the latter of which is often used to produce resveratrol supplements
Q: What are the harmful side effects or disadvantages of taking resveratrol, if any?
A: Direct negative reactions to resveratrol have yet to be reported, but there are still certain areas of caution that should be heeded. Resveratrol does have some slight estrogen properties, so women with estrogen conditions should consult a doctor before taking resveratrol. Resveratrol can act as a blood thinner, so if you are on blood thinning medicine already, then you should consult a doctor first. As part of a healthy lifestyle which includes a balanced diet, proper exercise and adequate hydration, a daily natural supplement can be your best weapon in the fight against aging. Not only can natural supplements leave you feeling energized and strong, they can help to reverse the effects of aging on everything from your internal systems to your skin and hair. Despite possible Resveratrol side effects, this can be the most important step you’ll ever take in terms of your overall health.
Q: How much resveratrol is too much?
A: Since researchers have just began studying the benefits of resveratrol, not enough data has been collected for the FDA to make a recommendation on an upper limit.
Q: What conditions or problems does resveratrol help with?
A: Resveratrol helps lower cholesterol and protects against LDL oxidation, a process that has been linked to the development of cardiovascular disease. In mouse and rat experiments, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, blood-sugar-lowering and other beneficial cardiovascular effects of resveratrol have been reported. Resveratrol is the key ingredient in red wine that helps prevent damage to blood vessels, reduces “bad” cholesterol and prevents blood clots. With all of this and more, resveratrol helps you live a longer, healthier life.
Q: How do I get resveratrol in my diet?
A: The best way to get resveratrol into your diet is with a supplement because a typical five ounce wine glass may have anywhere from 0.3-1.9 mg of resveratrol, while the average supplement has 30 mg of resveratrol. If you drank enough wine to get this amount of resveratrol, you would spend about $50-$100 a day, not to mention how incredibly intoxicated you would be all the time.
