ResveratrolSince its isolation from white hellebore and Japanese knotweed in 1940 and 1963, respectively, resveratrol continues to gain attention from scientists and health buffs alike for its numerous potential health benefits. But first, an introduction to it is in order. Resveratrol is one of many polyphenolic compounds most often found in grapes and its by-products (red wine and purple grape juice), peanuts and in berries like cranberries, bilberries and blueberries.
Thus, when the diet includes any or all of these foods, resveratrol is present. These foods, however, contain resveratrol in varying quantities such that red wine has more of it than, say, peanuts. In light of this finding, supplements made from the Japanese knotweed, which has more resveratrol than other sources, have been marketed, of which the following benefits have been attributed to them.
Antioxidant Activity
Resveratrol exhibits direct antioxidant activity by neutralizing the free radicals as well as other oxidants present. Thus, it can combat oxidative stress that causes certain neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, both of which affect the quality of life enjoyed as well as influence the life span of individuals. Although more research needs to be done on the relationships between the heart and the brain to resveratrol, the results so far have been promising.
Anti-Carcinogenic Properties
As an anti-carcinogenic compound, resveratrol shows promise. Scientific studies have shown that it can inhibit the growth of cancer cells in tissue culture as well as in implanted tumors. According to the National Cancer Institute, resveratrol shows anti-cancer properties in the three steps of cancer growth: anti-initiation, anti-promotion and anti-progression.
Basically, resveratrol stops the proliferation of cancer cells as well as the development of new blood vessels feeding the cells. In humans, this anti-carcinogenic property is being studied, with colon cancer patients being the first subjects of these clinical trials. Other cancer types affected by resveratrol include those of the prostate, breasts, stomach, thyroid and pancreas.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
In culture studies, resveratrol has been shown to hinder the growth of many inflammatory enzymes like lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase. The inhibition of these enzymes results in the reduction of the symptoms of pain and inflammation in illnesses as diverse as atherosclerosis and pancreatic cancer. Indeed, there have been studies pointing to the ability of resveratrol to reduce brain inflammation brought by illnesses like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s as well as those due to brain injury and trauma.
Anti-Platelet Aggregation
In layman’s terms, platelet aggregation is the clumping of blood platelets that signals the start of a blood clot, also called thrombus in medical terms. In turn, thrombus can close off a cerebral or a coronary artery which then results in a stroke or a myocardial infarction, respectively. As such, platelet aggregation inhibitors like resveratrol are becoming increasingly important in the fight against atherothrombotic illnesses.
The most exciting potential health benefit of resveratrol is in its ability to extend life among certain species of fruit fly and worm. Although the extension of human life using resveratrol is still under debate and study, it cannot be denied that it can be the next wonder drug.

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