Keep Your Brain Protected with Resveratrol Supplements

It’s been said that red wine can help lower cholesterol and much of this is due to the plant compound it contains called resveratrol.

While red wine is one of its more popular food sources, this amazing plant compound is also found in grapes, berries, and peanuts, just to name a few.

Resveratrol can also be taken in the form of supplements which studies have linked to a variety of health benefits.

It extends the lifespan of certain animals

Though its effects on humans are still unclear, the impact it had on other organisms made this claim more promising.

The fact that it can extend an organism’s lifespan has made it a major area of research in the hope of replicating the same effects on humans.

Resveratrol activated specific genes that helped fight off diseases of aging.  It would definitely be a major breakthrough if the same can be proven in humans.

It may help increase insulin sensitivity

Animal studies conducted on resveratrol has shown that it has a positive effect on diabetes.  It helped increase insulin sensitivity and prevented diabetes complications from manifesting.  

One of the possible reasons for this is that the plant compound may be responsible for stopping a certain enzyme from turning glucose into sorbitol.

This helps because too much sorbitol build up in diabetics can create cell-damaging oxidative stress.  

Though researchers suggest that resveratrol could be used to treat diabetes as well as diabetes complications, more research is needed to solidify this claim.

It helps protect the brain

Several studies have also suggested that resveratrol may be able to help slow down cognitive decline brought about by age.

The possible explanation may have something to do with the compound’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity because it seems to impede the beta-amyloids that are responsible for plaque formation.

This is crucial because plaque formation is one of the major symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.  

More importantly, resveratrol can help protect the brain cells from damage by triggering a series of events.

It should be noted that there are still a lot of questions as to how the body can use supplemental resveratrol, limiting its use as a supplement in protecting the brain.

It may help reduce blood pressure

Resveratrol is seen as a promising supplement that may help lower blood pressure due to its antioxidant properties.

One review presumed that high doses of the compound may reduce the pressure applied on the artery walls every time the heart beats.

The type of pressure being pertained to is called systolic pressure which usually goes up as we grow older and our arteries stiffen.  It can also increase the risk of heart disease if its value becomes too high.

By helping produce nitric oxide, resveratrol may be able to lower blood pressure as the blood vessels begin to relax.

It may help relieve joint pain

Arthritis can lead to joint pain and if you’re not lucky enough, even in the loss of mobility.

Cartilage deterioration and breakdown is responsible for the pain and is considered as one of the primary symptoms of arthritis.

Studies have shown that resveratrol, when taken as a supplement, may be able to protect cartilage from further deterioration.

Several other studies also suggest that resveratrol may have the potential to reduce inflammation though such tests were performed on animals. 

Final Thoughts

Based on the studies conducted, there’s no doubt that resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant with vast potential in terms of the health benefits it can bring.

The results of research related to health conditions like arthritis and heart disease have been very promising though further studies are still needed to confirm its effects on humans.