Resveratrol
WHAT IS RESVERATROL?
Resveratrol is a phytoalexin, a plant-produced antibiotic in layman’s terms, that forms when plants are under attack by pathogens like bacteria or fungi. Many studies indicate that resveratrol may have positive health benefits for people. Resveratrol is a nutritional substance found in grapes with superb anti-aging and antioxidant properties. Plants use resveratrol as a natural defense against harmful micro-organisms, but dieticians recommend it as natural supplement for younger-looking skin and a healthier heart. It has even been found to inhibit cancer cells.
Widely known as a constituent of red wine, resveratrol can also be found in over 70 plant species including nuts, grapes, pine trees, certain berries, and many others. Certain dark varieties of berries like mulberries and cranberries also contain high levels of resveratrol. The Japanese knotweed, a type of herbaceous perennial plant native to eastern Asia, is an excellent, concentrated source of resveratrol. The resveratrol used to produce health supplements is typically refined from Japanese knotweed.
Researchers have long been examining the beneficial properties of resveratrol. In 2003, Harvard Medical School researchers conducting animal studies found further proof that resveratrol can slow down aging. The experiment showed that resveratrol could prolong lifespan by 30 to 60%. Resveratrol also gave extra resistance against Huntington’s disease, an incurable neurological disease.
Several other studies in US and Europe over the past decade cite resveratrol as a powerful antioxidant. In one study, the addition of resveratrol to vitamin C and vitamin E increased protection against oxidative stress, which has been linked to poor skin health.
Traditional Asian medicine, meanwhile, has been using resveratrol for centuries to treat conditions like high blood pressure and hypertension. Herbologists gather concentrated resveratrol from the roots of Japanese knotweed, a shrub native to eastern Asia.
Resveratrol has become such a popular natural supplement that even influential celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey have endorsed it as a must-try product. Various diets have also been created around resveratrol, all focusing on its rejuvenating powers.
It has been discovered that foods with some of the highest concentration of resveratrol are purple and red-skinned grapes. But it is important to note that even in the same type of grape the resveratrol content varies based on a number of factors such as where the grapes are grown. For instance, grapes grown in cool weather have a greater likelihood of containing more resveratrol than grapes grown in warmer weather.
Plants grown “organically” are typically more resveratrol-rich because they do not benefit from disease and insect protections that are provided by fungicides and pesticides; as a result, they tend to be more “hardy” and more rich in resveratrol.
What are the Benefits of Resveratrol?
Studies suggest that resveratrol may be effective to some degree in:
- Weight Loss – Resveratrol has a natural compound that is found to actively attack fat cells and break them down
- Anti-Aging – Resveratrol has the capacity to extend normal lifespan by preventing the development of certain life threatening diseases
- Anti-Cancer – Resveratrol has been recognized for its potential to inhibit the production of various cancer cell lines
- Over-all Wellness – Resveratrol has shown to enhance cardiovascular performance
So if you are considering starting on a resveratrol regimen, feel free to browse through our complete catalog of cheap resveratrol products on our “Buy Resveratrol“ page. Before you know it, resveratrol will give you a healthy glow and add some bounce to your step.