?Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound found in grapes, red wine, purple grape juice, peanuts and some berries.
?When taken orally, resveratrol appears to be well-absorbed by humans, but its bioavailability is relatively low because it is rapidly metabolized and eliminated.
?Scientists became interested in exploring potential health benefits of resveratrol when its presence was reported in red wine, leading to speculation that resveratrol might help explain the “French Paradox.?
?Moderate alcohol consumption has been consistently associated with 20-30% reductions in coronary heart disease risk, but it is not yet clear whether red wine polyphenols, such as resveratrol, confer any additional risk reduction. Although resveratrol can inhibit the growth of cancer cells in culture and some animal models, it is not known whether high intakes of resveratrol can prevent cancer in humans.
?Resveratrol administration increased the life***ns of yeast, worms, and fruit flies, but it is not known whether resveratrol will have similar effects in higher animals or humans.
?At present, relatively little is known about the effects of resveratrol in humans.
What Is It?
Resveratrol is touted by nutritionists and biochemists because of its potential as an anticancer and cardioprotective compound. Resveratrol belongs to the phytoalexin class of phytochemicals and functions as a moderate antioxidant, quenching free radical damage linked to several cancers. The compound has also demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties that help it to block reactions associated with the cancer process.
Health Benefits
In humans, studies are underway to ***ermine health benefits of resveratrol in cancer and heart disease. Preliminary research results demonstrate that resveratrol may have anti-infective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. According to studies involving cancer-prone mice, resveratrol seems to reduce the occurrence of skin tumors. Additional studies suggest that resveratrol is unique because of its ability to |
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