Resveratrol is a natural compound found in red grape skin, Japanese knotweed, peanuts, blueberries, and some other berries. It is a polyphenolic phytoalexin, a stilbenoid, and a derivative of stilbene, and is produced in plants with the help of enzymes when the plant is under attack by pathogens such as bacteria or fungi. Resveratrol is available as dietary supplements from red wine extracts, grape seed extracts, and Japanese knotweed extracts, among others. Most supplements on the market are derived from Japanese knotweed because this plant has one of the highest concentrations of resveratrol found in nature.

Resveratrol is thought to act like an antioxidant, protecting the body against damage that can put you at higher risk for things like cancer and heart disease. It may have many effects in the body, including expanding blood vessels, reducing blood clotting, decreasing pain and swelling, reducing levels of sugar in the blood, and helping the body fight against disease. However, there is no strong evidence to support resveratrol for any use. While experts agree that it does have potential, 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.

Benefits of resveratrol include:

• Obesity: Taking resveratrol by mouth seems to increase weight loss in overweight and obese adults.
• Heart disease: It’s 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 in which the body becomes less sensitive to the effects of the blood sugar-lowering hormone, insulin.
• Anti-aging and disease-fighting powers: Some animal and lab studies have shown that resveratrol has promising antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects.

Possible negative effects of resveratrol include:

• 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 some medications, which could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

Overall, while resveratrol has potential health benefits, more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness and safety.