resveratrol.info
Isolated in 1940 from the roots of white hellebore, resveratrol has since been found in; grapes (especially red wine), berries and peanuts.
What are Resveratrol’s health benefits?
A study, published in Novemeber 2006, concluded that mice lived longer when given a resveratrol supplement. Many other studies have identified potential positive benefits of this compound - potential anti-cancer, antihyperlipidemic, cholesterol lowering capabilities, anti-aging activity,antihypertensive improve eye sight, stop influenza virus from multiplying, potential anti-fungal activity in humans and the ability to inhibit platelet aggregation.
How does Resveratrol Work?
Resveratrol´s antioxidant properties mean that it 'mops up' free radicals. These are produced in all of us all the time as a by product of our normal metabolic processes, however they are highly toxic causing cell damage and they contribute to the development of some cancers. Antioxidants help the bodies natural defensive processes find these free radicals and make them safe. A Harvard Medical School study found that resveratrol boosts the production of the SIRI1 protein and it is proposed that this could boost human life expectancy.
What is it?
Plants produce the chemical as part of their defensive reaction to bacterial / fungal infections.
Where is Resveratrol found?
Red wine – the resveratrol occurs in grape skins and as white wine is made without the grape skins, red wine is a much richer source. Resveratrol production increases in response to attack by specific pathogens and those climates where these pathogens are most prevalent produce grapes with higher concentrations of resveratrol.
Polygonum cuspidatum - this is a herb and many commercial resveratrol supplements are made from it. As fungicides are used in modern wine making there are usually only trace amounts in grapes therefore other sources of resveratrol are needed for commercial supplement production.
Other sources - blueberry, bilberry, Japanese knotweed root.
Chemical Properties.
Resveratrol’s full chemical name is 3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene and its chemical formula is C14H12O3. It has cis and trans isomers. t-resveratrol is most common natural component. The cis isomer, is less prevalent and little is known about its activity and health benefits.