What are the resveratrol benefits?

Find out more about resveratrol benefits and red wine. You will also learn about some other resveratrol sources, what it is and more. Resveratrol is one of the new hot topics. Many researchers are working hard to better understand the health benefits of resveratrol.

What is Resveratrol?

Before we jump into the benefits of resveratrol, let's first define it. It is an antioxidant compound called a polyphenol. The red wine grape vines create this substance as their internal defense to fight off fungus and other diseases. It also helps the vine protect itself against stress and injuries.

The vine produces the resveratrol in the skin of grapes. These skins are then used in the red wine making process. This is how resveratrol is found in red wine. They are not found in white wines, since the skin is removed during the wine making process.

Resveratrol Benefits and Cancer

Researchers have been studying the benefits of resveratrol for many years. Recently, many people have linked red wine and resveratrol and want to learn more about its benefits.

The National Cancer Institute has reported that one of the benefits of resveratrol is that it has been shown to reduce the tumor incident in animals. It goes on to say that in the studies show that resveratrol inhibits the growth of many types of cancer cells in culture.

They also point to research that supports the fact that resveratrol can reduce inflammation. Much of this research was done on animals and the human research is still underway.

The National Cancer Institute also reports on a recent research study in the Internal Journal of Cancer. The report says that drinking red wine may decrease the risk of prostate cancer in men. The study shows that this was a result for men drinking just one glass a day.

The American Institute for Cancer Research also mentions some initial studies that show resveratrol benefits. They mention many of the same benefits as the National Cancer Institute including studies that suggest resveratrol might be able to slow the growth of cancer cells.

The human research around the resveratrol benefits are still in their initial stages. Many of these studies are focused on the preventative effects of this compound. Much of the information available on its benefits is reported as it 'might' or 'may' be beneficial since there is a lot of research that still needs to be done.

Other Benefits of Resveratrol

There are other studies underway to better understand the overall health benefits of resveratrol. Many of the studies are focused on its anti-aging capabilities and how it impacts weight loss.

Again, most of this research is in its early stages. Very little testing on humans has been done, but everyone is excited to learn more and understand its potential benefits.

Other Resveratrol Sources

Red wine is not the only food that contains this substance. Blueberries, grapes, peanuts and cranberries are just a few of the other plants that also contain this compound.

Overall the resveratrol benefits are still being examined. Although early tests on animals show positive benefits of resveratrol, it will be a few years before the real human benefit is confirmed.

What is the cause of red wine headaches? Find out more on the Red Wine and Headaches page. How many calories are there in a glass of red wine? Find a red wine calorie chart for some of the most common types of red wine on the How Many Calories in Red Wine? page.

You can also learn more about the latest research on red wine and health on the Health Benefits of Drinking Wine page.