Resveratrol a Dietary Supplement to Improve Health Condition
February 27, 2009
In the present day market flooded with numerous herbal drug supplements a few products have shown good promise and effectiveness to improve health conditions in general. Amongst these compounds, resveratrol a polyphenol, is also considered to be very important and useful.
What is resveratrol chemically?
Resveratol is a polyphenolic compound which can be considered as a phytoalexin which in general is a 3,5,4-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene. The major reason for plants producing this substamce is their defence mechanism, wherein, it gives them a defence against infection by pathogenic micro-organisms, fungi etc.
How do we ensure optimum resveratrol in our diet?
Amongst the various dietary food sources of resveratorol the prominent ones include, the wine-making grapes which are botanically equated as Vitis vinifera. Other sources of resveratrol include labrusca and muscatine. The strongest contender for the highest resveratrol content in grapes plant is the grape skin, which has highest resveratrol content for the obvious reason of protection.
In terms of consideration for the different kind of grape wines, the highest resveratrol content is found in case of red wine, while the white wine is lesser rich in resveratrol. It is generally due to the difference in the method of preparation of the two wines. Apart from being a rich source of resveratrol the grapes also contain some other very important polyphenolic compounds like proanthocyanidins, quercetin, catechins etc
Benefits of resveratrol as a supplement
There are numerous benefits of resveratrol the major amongst them include its usefulness as an antioxidant par excellence, its ability to improve the cardiovascular functionality and the heart health. It has been reportedly found to be useful in inhibition of cholesterol synthesis, it may also lead to the inhibition of atherosclerosisand low density lipid oxidation. Apart from this, resveratrol provides excellent support to the endothelial cells and has been shown to promote oestrogenic activity.
In general, resveratrol holds a lot of promise for health promotion, although further insightful research in this direction may pave way to some evidences supporting its effects.
How long do you think it will take them to complete the scientific study on longterm use of resveratrol to prove whether or not it has anti aging benefits? I am asking since it was recently found and some studies could take up to 10 years or so?