Resveratrol is a natural anti-microbial substance found in the skin of certain fruits. This substance has been found to possess certain important medicinal properties, for which it is nowadays widely used to make supplements.
Resveratrol is a pytoalexin, an anti-microbial substance that is basically produced by certain plants to protect themselves from bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens. This substance is mainly found in the skin of certain fruits, like red grapes, mulberries, cranberries, raspberries, blueberries, and peanuts. Another significant source is Japanese knotweed.
Even red wine contains resveratrol, and much of its health benefits have been attributed to this natural compound. Resveratrol has gained popularity mainly due to its antioxidant properties and anti-aging effects. The discovery of such health benefits has led to the development of many supplements, which are increasingly used for preventing a number of diseases, including diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.
How Can It Benefit You?
Resveratrol is supposed to have numerous health benefits, most of which can be attributed to its antioxidant properties. Due to its strong antioxidant properties, resveratrol and its extracts can provide protection against the cellular damage caused by the free radicals. This in turn, can help slow down the process of aging.
As a strong antioxidant, it can help prevent a number of serious ailments, including heart and cardiovascular diseases. This natural substance can improve the elasticity of the blood vessels, and lower blood pressure and the level of cholesterol in the body, besides boosting heart health. All these can help reduce the risk of some life-threatening conditions, like strokes and heart attacks.
Resveratrol can prove immensely helpful in autoimmune conditions like arthritis as well. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, this substance can help alleviate the pain and inflammation of the joints associated with arthritis. It can also be used to treat and prevent obesity and insulin resistance. Its supplements may help increase metabolism, which in turn, can help burn the excess body fat. This is the reason why so many people use its supplements for losing weight. Diabetic patients can also benefit from taking these supplements.
Apart from these, this compound has been found to boost the nervous and the immune system, and lower the risk of blood clotting, kidney diseases, and retinopathy. Several studies have observed that resveratrol can inhibit the growth or proliferation of cancerous cells. It can even prove helpful in preventing age-related disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Its Side Effects
So far, no serious or major side effect of resveratrol has been reported. Some users have reported certain minor gastrointestinal side effects, like diarrhea and abdominal cramping. One may also experience Achilles tendinitis and joint pain, especially in the back, hips, hands, and the feet, when it is taken in excess.
Some other less common side effects include, insomnia, anxiety, a jittery feeling, decreased appetite, and numbness and tingling in the hands and legs. Resveratrol is known to have mild estrogenic properties, due to which women having estrogen sensitivity, as well as pregnant and nursing women are advised to take the supplements only after consulting a physician. The same precaution needs to be maintained by people taking blood thinners, as resveratrol can increase the risk of bleeding if taken along with these drugs.
Supplement Review
Though a large number of resveratrol supplements have simply flooded the market, most of them fail to produce the desired results and meet the safety standards. Some of the most commonly available products or supplements are, ResV Daily, Resveratrol Ultra, Xtra Resveratrol, Resveratrol Select, Biotivia Resveratrol, etc.
It is advisable to do some preliminary research about the supplements before purchasing them. This can help compare the different supplements, and find out the best one. You can also take the help of your health care provider to find out the best supplement.
Any kind of medicine, as well as nutritional supplement should always be taken with the approval of a medical practitioner. At the same time, it is essential to disclose all information pertaining to the kind of medications you are using, or the diseases you are suffering from, to your physician before taking any supplementation. This can help avoid or minimize the side effects, while deriving the maximum possible benefits from the supplements.
Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only, and should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice.
