Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant which is found predominantly in the skin of grapes. This is
produced as a defense mechanism against environmental stress by the plants. Resveratrol is also
found in smaller quantities in lily, spruce and eucalyptus apart from being produced as diet
supplements.
Recent studies have shown some interesting facts about this antioxidant. Resveratrol is seen to
reduce the aggregation of platelets in the blood thereby reducing the risk of strokes, clots and
even heart attacks. Moreover, resveratrol helps in prevention of damage of cells resulting from the
presence of free radicals. This powerful antioxidant is also known to fight cancer effectively in
all stages.
Resveratrol occurs naturally as well as in diet supplements. Resveratrol is predominantly found in
muscadine grapes, Vitis vinifera and labrusca. These are the varieties of grapes used in making of
wine. Resveratrol is concentrated on the skin of the grapes though it is also found to a certain
extent in the seeds, roots and stalks. Resveratrol is also found in certain other plants like lily,
eucalyptus and spruce and foodstuff like peanuts and mulberries.
As it has been proved time and again, consumption of wine or alcohol reduces the incidence of
coronary diseases. This is true especially in case of red wine. Presence of resveratrol has been
linked to this finding. Recent studies have proven that being a very effective antioxidant,
resveratrol protects cells from lipid peroxidation.
On arid areas of land grapes do not have a large amount of this antioxidant. This is because there
are chances of fewer fungal diseases infecting the skin of the grapes here.
It is also commonly believed that resveratrol has anti aging properties as demonstrated by
experiments conducted on animals. Polygonum is a plant which contains resveratrol in abundance. This
plant is one of the main ingredients present in some of the asian herbal remedies for heart and
liver.
Resveratrol show promise in inducing differentiation in promyelocytic leukemia cells in humans. It
also shows potential in inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase which is an enzyme particularly found
in proliferating cells during DNA synthesis. The most positive factor in all this is that
resveratrol shows a lot of positive potential in cancer treatment due to the fact that it produces
negligible toxins which affect the blood forming cells.
It is advisable to consult one's physician before deciding to take resveratrol supplements as a
preventive measure for any ailment. As with any other drug which is in the research stages, it is
better to wait for conclusive evidence and reports before proceeding to make it a part of our
intake.
It is also not advisable to consume red wine in big quantities in a bid to prevent heart diseases
and cancer. This will inevitably lead to other conditions like liver damage. It is prudent to wait
for any outcome from research in the form of licensed drugs. Information and updates on resveratrol
can be found on the internet.
There is no harm however in taking natural grapes, peanuts, blueberries and such known to contain
resveratrol in reasonable quantities rather than taking supplements that contain resveratrol, or in
powder and patch forms.
