What Is Resveratrol and What Are Its Super Powers?
Have you ever heard that drinking a glass of red wine a day provides health benefits? Well, you should know that the compound in it that’s the cause is “Resveratrol”.
by Greg Montoya
What is Resveratrol?
Resveratrol is a component of a category of compounds known as polyphenols. This naturally occurs in plants. Polyphenols have antioxidant effects that help the body fight a long list of health-related problems, heart disease and cancer, too.
How Does Resveratrol Work?
Thanks to its powerful antioxidant properties, it can protect against the cell damage attributable to free radicals. Therefore, free radicals can cause brain degeneration, aging and cancer.
Some scientists believe that resveratrol triggers the SIRT1 gene, known to defend the body from age related diseases and obesity.
More Details Regarding the Health Benefits
Known for its disease fighting and anti-aging properties, it can help protect against the following:
Cancer Fighting and Anti-Aging Benefits
Resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant, neutralizes free radicals generated during bodily functions, like exercising and eating.
Poor lifestyle practices can accelerate free radical damage. In other words, consuming unhealthy foods, smoking, limited response to environmental toxicity and pollution are examples. If not addressed, free radicals can damage cells that can ultimately lead to life-threatening diseases, even early death.
Studies show that consuming plant foods high in phytonutrients and antioxidants with resveratrol help to provide antioxidative, anti-humor and anticarcinogenic benefits. These can defend against numerous age-related diseases.
Alzheimer’s
It may protect nerve cells from damage and help prevent plaque buildup that can result in Alzheimer’s. The antioxidants in resveratrol are unique. To clarify, it can cross the brain/blood barrier, protecting the nervous system and brain.
Researchers at the Northunbria University’s Nutrition Research Center in the U.K. found that resveratrol increased blood flow to the brain. This is a significant benefit to neuroprotective effects and healthy brain function.
Heart Disease
Resveratrol is a key ingredient in red wine. This can help prevent blood vessel damage, blood clots, and reduce LDL cholesterol (the unhealthy cholesterol).
Also, research has shown that resveratrol may help prevent diabetes and obesity. Both are high heart disease risk factors.
How It Fights Obesity
Studies have shown that it may help prevent or reduce fat storage and regulate insulin levels. Research shows that it may also help reduce body weight and obesity. In fact, some authorities believe is a result of resveratrol activating the SIRT1 gene.
Prediabetes and Diabetes
It may help control blood sugar levels. Also, improve how well insulin (a blood sugar-lowering hormone) works for individuals with type 2 diabetes. Resveratrol aids in preventing insulin resistance, especially when the body is less sensitive to insulin.
It has also been shown to reduce joint and muscle pain, encourage a healthy digestive system, and much more.
Sources of Resveratrol
It is naturally present in grapes. The American Institute of Cancer Research has referred to grapes as one of the food items that fight cancer. Additionally, naturally plentiful sources of resveratrol include the skin of red grapes, red wine, and raw cocoa. Also, lingonberries, blueberries, mulberries, bilberries, and muscadine grapes are dark berries, more great resources.
Red wine is among the best-known sources. This is largely because of the fermentation process that transforms grape juice into alcohol.
NOTE: The American Heart Association advises limiting the consumption of alcoholic drinks (2 for men and 1 for women a day). It is not recommended to attempt to prevent heart disease by starting to drink wine. More importantly, alcohol is addictive and can cause other health problems or make them worse. So, consume moderately. The better option would be to take a high-quality resveratrol supplement.
Check out Purple Guardian for a great resveratrol supplement!
More About Muscadine Grapes
Muscadine grapes were discovered by the Cherokee Indians. It was believed to be a cure all for countless diseases and illnesses. Cherokee medicine men treasured them for their ability to fight inflammation and infection.
Indigenous to the southeastern United States, muscadine grapes aren’t the typical red and green grapes you see in the grocery store. Muscadine grapes have a thick skin, which is the healthiest part of the grape. From their provided bounty disease fighting antioxidants like resveratrol, to vitamins and minerals, muscadine grapes should definitely be included in any healthy lifestyle plan.
Muscadine grapes provide more health benefits than other grapes. For example, they contain 40 times the resveratrol and are approximately 40 times richer in antioxidant properties. Various studies have found that the skin of the muscadine grape and the seeds were very effective in protecting against the growth of cancer cells. For instance, these include prostate, skin, breast, lung, brain, blood, and colon cancers.
Taking a health supplement that uses the grape as the primary ingredient is highly recommended. This will help reap the full health benefits of the resveratrol from the muscadine grapes.
Check out Purple Guardian for a great resveratrol supplement!
READ MORE about the muscadine grapes.
REFERENCES:
The Secrets fo Resveratrols Health Benefits
This Little Known Grape Has 40 Times More Cancer Stopping Resveratrol Than Red Wine