What is Resveratrol and should you take it?

Resveratrol supplements are commonly recommended for its anti-aging properties and its effects on diabetes and Alzheimers. Forget about breast implants, you can now eat your way to a young body. This compound can be extracted from the red grapes and is also commonly found in peanuts. Resveratrol is known for playing a very important role in reducing inflammation with its antioxidant properties. That said, the anti-aging effects and inflammation-reducing proportions aren’t studied in great detail and there is still a need for much more research in this area. Not having much understanding of your reaction and response in the body, the dosage of this drug is yet to standardised, though no visible side effects have been observed so far. This famous anti-oxidant has several benefits in our body, especially in extending life span and in reducing the chances of a heart attack. As inflammation is the main cause of cell damage in the human body, the antioxidant properties play a potent role in preventing several inflammatory diseases.

The antioxidant property of resveratrol is being studied in several laboratories and animal studies. So far, the studies have proven to have positive results. Studies have suggested that supplements of resveratrol protects the body from fat deposition, thereby helping us lose weight and increase the level of good fat. This might mean that we no longer need liposuctions, and instead can keep a healthy consistent weight. As it focuses on acting in the body to reduce inflammation and inflammatory reaction, the resveratrol prevents plaque deposition in the blood vessels thereby reducing the chances of cardiovascular diseases especially ischemic heart diseases that affect the blood vessels and blood circulation. The anti-inflammatory effects can also prevent diabetes in the body and increase insulin sensitivity in the body thereby proving to have anti-diabetic effects. 

The resveratrol supplements have also shown to protect the brain and prevent brain diseases like Alzheimer’s by inhibiting the formation of brain plaques and destroys the chain reactions that can destroy brain cells. The brain protective behaviour is uniquely based on its response time and less dosage in test cells. The positive effects in easing joint points in the case of arthritis are also seen as a positive sign for research. Resveratrol supplements have also proven to prevent cartilage breakdown and less damage to joints prevents joint pains in test animals. The joint protecting property is due to its ability to reduce oxidative stress thereby preventing joint disorientation. With cancer being the most common inflammatory diseases, resveratrol is found to be a potent anti-cancer agent, which prevents cancer cell multiplication and spread to other body parts and cancer gene expression in normal cells. As cancer studies with this compound are yet to reach animal testing and studies, so far the results seem promising and could be a future anti-cancer agent for human subjects.

The antimicrobial effects of resveratrol are also being studied and oxidative damage can prevent microbial cell entry and infection in the human body. As there are no proven side effects in dosing, the studies with test cells and animals have confirmed that resveratrol seems to have other reactions in the body. They include enzyme interaction and inhibition at low levels, and when introduced at a higher dosage, the supplements of resveratrol seem to trigger cells necrosis and cell death. The antioxidative property of resveratrol seems to reverse when introduced at higher dosages and hence more studies are required to exactly understand and control the resveratrol as a drug. There are also studies that have shown the interaction of resveratrol with male hormone androgens. Most studies on the side effects have concluded that the negative effects of the compound don’t occur in short term doses and however long term dosages seems to trigger oxidative stress or damage to cells. As this long-term effect is guided by dosing and aging the interacting cells, it is important that we wait for clinical trials and high-end research to give the guidance to consume resveratrol to gain its positive effects in cardioprotection, neuroprotection and as an antitumor agent.