The Skinny on the Health Benefits of Resveratrol
The health benefits of resveratrol are making this one of the most promising and most exciting discoveries in the health and nutritional supplement field in years. Researchers have long known that antioxidants are powerful combatants of free radicals, those damaging molecules that are known to cause cancer and a host of other diseases.
Where Resveratrol Comes From
Resveratrol is found in the skin and seeds of grapes, peanuts, dark chocolate, blueberries and other berries and in the Japanese knotweed plant. It was discovered after scientists realized that people in the Mediterranean region ate diets high in fat but didn’t have high instances of heart disease. After much study, the link between red wine consumption and this lowered heart disease rate was found, leading to the discovery of resveratrol.
Healthy Results
There have been many research trials done using resveratrol and many more planned for the future, including clinical trials on humans. The results so far are very promising.
One of the health benefits of resveratrol, perhaps one of the most significant findings, is its ability to prevent the formation of cancer cells. Tests were conducted where mice were given resveratrol then exposed to carcinogens known to cause skin cancer. The cancer cells did not grow and the mice remained cancer free.
Other cancers, particularly estrogen sensitive cancers are showing similar results. This could mean a possible prevention to breast cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer and more. These tests are still ongoing, however, signs so9 far point to this being fact and not just hope.
Other research studies show that resveratrol’s health benefits include the diminished development of blood vessels which in turn suppresses the formation of tumors. This can be a double edged sword as it also means a slower healing time. Research is ongoing and consumers should stay informed as the results are released.
Alzheimer’s disease and Aging Promises
Perhaps the second most exciting discovery is the possibility that resveratrol can prevent the debilitating progression of Alzheimer’s and related dementia.
Doctors and scientists have discovered that a buildup of plaque on the brain is indicative of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Preliminary testing with resveratrol has shown a reduction in the formation of plaque. This news alone is a breakthrough, particularly for families that have a history or Alzheimer’s. Continued research will provide more concrete results; however, with little or no side effects reported, many middle-age and younger people with a family history of this debilitating disease are adding resveratrol to their supplement routine now.
Researchers at Harvard have reported that resveratrol trials on humans show that the antioxidant should provide ten to fifteen more years of life. Whether this is due to the lowered instances of disease or is just another benefit of the antioxidant is not yet known.
The health benefits of resveratrol are not limited to those contained in this article, neither are they limited to what has been reported thus far. Researchers are continually adding to the growing list of health benefits and the research is still ongoing. Consumers should continually check health news to stay informed.