What is Resveratrol?
Some of the hottest new health supplements on the market are those that use Resveratrol as an active ingredient. The name is starting to be associated with numerous health supplements and medicines – but unfortunately most people are unaware of just what Resveratrol is and why they should care.
Despite significant marketing efforts by the health supplement companies Reservatrol is a name that conjours up more by the way of myth and confusion than hard facts. For that reason we have put together this fact sheet – to let you know exactly what Resveratrol is.
What is Resveratrol
Where does resveratrol come from?
Resveratrol is a naturally occurring molecule that is produced by plants when they are 'attacked' by pathegens (e.g. bacteria, fungi, etc). However for commercial usage it is easily produced by a method of chemical synthesis, which reproduces the conditions needed for Resveratrol to be created. The common plant used for such conditions is the Japanese Knotweed
So if it is produced by 'chemical synthesis' it is artificial?
No. The conditions upon which the molecule is created by the Knotweed may be artificially recreating the pathegen attacks but the response by the plant is entirely natural. At no point are additional chemicals actually added to the resveratrol – it is entirely naturally occurring.
Is this just another 'miracle' ingredient with no scientific backing?
Far from it. Resveratrol has undergone significant scientific testing over the last decade. It has had testing on all sorts of animals from fish to fly's, mice to rats. It has also had scientific testing on humans in recent years, to favorable results
What are the proven results of resveratrol?
There are numerous health benefits that are linked with resveratrol. Most have undergone scientific testing to one degree or other. What has been proven to benefit across a number of animals and tests are:
Life extension – both in time and in activity levels at a higher age- Cancer prevention – still undergoing testing but initial results suggest that it can help prevent colon and skin cancer
- Reduction of coronary risk – heart disease is a very real issue, being the biggest killer in the western world. Research indicates that resveratrol can help cut the likelihood of heart disease.
- Brain activity – Resveratrol looks to improve the amount of brain activity, significantly reducing the likelihood of neurodegenerative diseases.
- Radiation exposure reduction – Research has shown that it can help prevent the problems caused by exposure to radiation
- Although not yet tested on humans tests also suggest that it can increase the metabolic rate in mammals – having done so in mice. This would increase weight loss and energy levels.
Are there any side effects?
Current tests have not conclusively shown any side effects that could be had from taking resveratrol. But there is a suggestion taken from mice testing that excessive quantities of resveratrol may cause a slight increase in breast cancer risk to those susceptible. However testing shows that should normal limits of quantity be observed there is no additional risk in humans, testing has not been made to excessive quantities as it had in mice.
Conclusion.
In short resveratrol is a naturally occurring molecule that is still being tested on humans. But all testing so far has shown very encouraging results when it comes to passing on health benefits to anyone taking it.
Testing has shown that it is perfectly safe for humans, with no side effects when taking withing recommended amounts.
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