Resveratrol – the secret to health and beauty discovered in red wine

Resveratrol is a powerful natural antioxidant, one of the main sources of which is grapes. Used for centuries in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine, it is now also gaining popularity in Poland. Resveratrol has many beneficial effects on the human body. What is resveratrol, how should it be used, and what is worth knowing about it?

Resveratrol – what is it?

Resveratrol is a chemical molecule that occurs in two forms: cis-resveratrol and trans-resveratrol. The latter is the most common form found in nature. It is also the most active form of resveratrol in the world. Resveratrol is a phytoalexin, an antibiotic substance produced by plants when they are under threat from microorganisms.

The natural composition of resveratrol allows it to be used as an effective dietary supplement. Dietary supplements containing resveratrol are characterised by a high and optimised content of active ingredients, including antioxidants. These ingredients are obtained from a plant popular in Asia, Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum).

Japanese knotweed – what is worth knowing about it?

Resveratrol was first identified in the 1930s by Japanese researcher Michio Takaoke. He managed to extract the active substance from white hellebore (L. Veratrum album), a plant that also grows naturally in Poland. This is also where the name resveratrol comes from. However, it is not the only plant that contains resveratrol.

This unusual ingredient was also identified in the 1960s in Japanese knotweed. This plant is used in traditional Asian medicine to combat various pathologies, including inflammatory diseases and those related to cardiovascular dysfunction.

Resveratrol – what are its properties?

The properties of resveratrol include many beneficial effects on the human body. Inside the human body, the substance has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Thanks to this, resveratrol can perform many different functions and serve to prevent or alleviate various chronic diseases.

Due to its strong antioxidant effect, resveratrol has many beneficial properties for the human body. It is able to combat the accumulation of harmful oxidising molecules in order to maintain good cell condition and proper body development. It therefore helps to protect the body and prevent, for example, premature ageing. Resveratrol also has strong anti-inflammatory properties. It can therefore help fight chronic inflammation, which may be directly involved in the development of diseases such as arthritis and atherosclerosis.

Resveratrol – how does it affect the human body?

Thanks to its unique characteristics and properties, resveratrol affects the human body in the following ways:

• Resveratrol inhibits the formation of free radicals – thus protecting the body from the excessive effects of oxidative stress that accelerates cell ageing. It is antimutagenic and induces the production of enzymes that detoxify liver carcinogens;
• It has anti-inflammatory properties – it inhibits the action of cyclooxygenases (COX), enzymes that catalyse the conversion of arachidonic acid into pro-inflammatory substances that stimulate the growth of cancer cells;
• It blocks the action of thrombin – by influencing platelet aggregation, it promotes the production of nitric oxide, which relaxes and dilates the arteries;
• Increases lipolysis – resveratrol regulates lipolysis and triglyceride accumulation. In this way, it participates in the mobilisation of fats, preventing excessive accumulation of adipose tissue in the body;
• Supports energy metabolism – promotes proper energy metabolism, helping to prevent protein destruction and thus regulating blood sugar levels;
• Has a cardioprotective effect – the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of resveratrol help protect the cardiovascular system. It helps protect blood vessel walls from oxidation and inflammation.

Resveratrol and the intestines – how does it support their well-being?

Resveratrol, a polyphenol, has a direct impact on intestinal health. A number of scientific studies confirm that resveratrol is able to actively promote a more diverse number of different species of bacteria in the gut microbiome. A significant concentration of good bacteria in the gut reduces the risk of obesity and lowers cholesterol levels. Fat cells must go through several stages, first from the initial preadipocyte stage to the mature adipocyte stage. Resveratrol, by influencing the development of the gut microbiome when absorbed by the body, is converted into a compound called piceatannol. It is this molecule that binds to the receptors of immature fat cells that must pass through the intestines, thus preventing them from transforming into mature adipocytes. Resveratrol therefore helps to combat obesity and high triglyceride levels by blocking the cellular processes associated with fat mass development.

Resveratrol in wine – is it effective?

One of the main dietary sources of resveratrol is wine, especially red wine. However, the amount of resveratrol contained in wine is still very low. For this reason, caution should be exercised, as the harmful effects of excessive alcohol consumption are well known. In addition to mild disorders such as fatigue, sleep disturbances and high blood pressure, alcohol consumption can also contribute to the development of many diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, digestive disorders and mental disorders.

It should also be remembered that the amounts of resveratrol contained in natural food sources are not sufficient to reap all of its benefits. The only way to provide the body with an adequate amount of resveratrol is to use good quality dietary supplements.

Resveratrol in cosmetics – how does it affect the skin?

Skin exposed to the sun, through the action of UV radiation, causes the formation of free radicals. This phenomenon is one of the main factors in skin ageing. It promotes the formation of wrinkles, loss of radiance and excessive dryness.

Resveratrol serum seems to have a beneficial effect on skin health. Applied immediately before exposure to sunlight, it fights free radicals, protecting the skin from ageing, giving it radiance and rejuvenating its appearance. What is more, the antibacterial effect of resveratrol also helps to reduce existing acne.

Resveratrol – how long to use it?

Resveratrol can be found in some dietary supplements, mainly in capsule form, as well as in cosmetic products such as serums. The dosage varies depending on the indications, ranging from 250 to 500 mg per day.

The substance also shows no signs of potential toxicity, even when consumed in large doses. For this reason, there is no indication that resveratrol is associated with any time restrictions on its use. It is therefore important to read the manufacturer's instructions for use and consult a doctor or dietitian to determine the correct duration of use. Opinions on resveratrol A number of opinions on resveratrol confirm its effectiveness in improving immune and anti-inflammatory responses. What is more, a large proportion of people who use resveratrol for hypertension confirm that 3 months of supplementation does indeed improve heart rate and facilitates blood vessel dilation, thus balancing high blood pressure. Blood tests of people using the supplement also confirm a significant reduction in LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. As a phytoestrogen similar to oestradiol, resveratrol also appears to improve female reproductive function. Male fertility also benefits from resveratrol use by increasing testosterone secretion levels.

Some reviews also suggest that when used as a serum, it improves the condition of dull skin and reduces wrinkles and sun spots resulting from prolonged exposure to sunlight.

Bibliography

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‘Resveratrol and diabetes: A critical review of clinical studies’ – A. Bishayee et al., Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy scientific journal, Elsevier, 2017. ‘Anti-diabetic effects of resveratrol’ – T. Szkudelski, K. Szkudelska, scientific journal Ann N Y Acad Sci., Wiley, 2011.

‘Cardiovascular protective effects of resveratrol’ – S. Bradamante, L. Barenghi, A. Villa, scientific journal Cardiovascular Drug Reviews, Wiley, 2004.

‘Anti-inflammatory responses of resveratrol’ – S. Das, D. Das, scientific journal Inflammation & Allergy Drug Targets, Bentham, 2007.

‘Health Effects of Resveratrol: Results from Human Intervention Trials’ – S. L. Ramirez-Garza et al., scientific journal Nutrients, MDPI, 2018.

‘Efficacy of resveratrol supplementation in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials’ – S. Rafiee et al., scientific journal Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, Elsevier, 2021.

‘Impact of Resveratrol on Glucose Control, Hippocampal Structure and Connectivity, and Memory Performance in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment’ – A. V. Witte et al., scientific journal Frontiers in Neuroscience, Frontiers, 2017.