Resveratrol is produced by certain plants to protect them from stress caused by the environment. It is a phytoalexin which is a byproduct of a plant’s natural defense mechanism. Resveratrol is found in huge amounts in the skin of grapes and this antioxidant protects the grapes from extreme heat and fungal diseases. It is therefore found abundantly in cooler climates. Wine is understandably one of the largest sources of this powerful antioxidant.
Wine which is produced from grapes is thus a good source of resveratrol. It is found more in red wine than in the white wine. This is due to the fact that the skins of grapes which are the main source of resveratrol is left longer during fermentation while processing and preparing red wine than the white wine.
Although it is all at the experimental stage, resveratrol shows a huge potential in the treatment of coronary diseases and cancer. Research is being conducted extensively to find out how best this antioxidant can be used to fight these more common but deadly diseases. □
Sources of resveratrol are mainly grapes. In the grapes, it is found more in the skin than the seeds and stalk. It is found in lesser quantities in plants like lily, spruce and eucalyptus. Resveratrol is also found in sufficient quantities in mulberries and peanuts. Grapes being predominantly used in preparation of wine, resveratrol can be found in considerable quantities in wine.
Resveratrol is found to reduce aggregation of platelets thereby helping in the prevention of atherosclerosis. Studies are however inconclusive as they have been conducted only on tissue cultures in artificial environments. It is yet to be tested on animals and humans.
It is also commonly believed that resveratrol has anti aging properties as demonstrated by experiments conducted on animals. Polygonum is a plant which contains resveratrol in abundance. This plant is one of the main ingredients present in some of the asian herbal remedies for heart and liver.
Polygonum Cuspidatum commonly known as the Japanese Knotweed is also a good source of naturally occurring resveratrol.
However, as with all substances, it is prudent to wait for further research and analysis before using this antioxidant as a sure treatment or preventive measure for any condition. Though resveratrol displays a very strong positive potential in certain conditions like coronary disease and cancer, there is a long way to go before it can be determined whether these diseases can be helped with this antioxidant or not.
Resveratrol is a very prospective cure for some major ailments like stroke and cancer. However, extensive research is under way and we soon hope for results. Information on what is happening on this front is available on the internet. There are various sites offering information and updates on the research front. It is interesting to study about this wonder antioxidant as of now. It is prudent to wait for conclusive evidence before taking it as a preventive measure or as a curative for any ailment.
Valuable information about this wonder antioxidant can be had from the internet. A lot of information is available on recent studies and research on this product along with new resveratrol based supplements introduced in the market.