Resveratrol is a chemical compound found in red grapes and products made from these grapes, such as wine and juice. It is a polyphenol, a naturally occurring highly powerful antioxidant. Resveratrol might have many effects in the body, including expanding blood vessels and reducing blood clotting. It may also decrease pain and swelling, reduce levels of sugar in the blood, and help with weight loss.
Benefits of Resveratrol
- Heart disease: Resveratrol is thought to help reduce inflammation, lower LDL or "bad" cholesterol, and make it more difficult for clots to form which can lead to a heart attack.
- Diabetes: Resveratrol helps prevent insulin resistance, a condition that can lead to diabetes.
- Brain and heart health: Resveratrol is an anti-inflammatory because it’s an antioxidant, so it affects cells in your body by protecting them from damage. It helps with brain and heart inflammation by providing a protective lining for your blood vessels and preventing insult or injury. This means it could have neuroprotective qualities and help preserve memory and brain function, as well as prevent heart disease and strokes.
Side Effects of Resveratrol
- Bleeding disorders: Resveratrol might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.
- Hormone-sensitive conditions: Resveratrol might act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, dont use resveratrol.
- Interaction with medications: Resveratrol might change how quickly the liver breaks down certain medications, which could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Its important to note that while experts agree that resveratrol does have potential health benefits, there’s still not enough data to confirm how well it works. Resveratrol supplements have not been well-studied in people, and we dont really know what benefits and risks they might have.
