Written by: Jochum Smid - biobased chemist, orthomolecular consultant and specialist in the field of nutrition.
What is resveratrol?
Resveratrol is a natural compound found in the skin of red grapes, as well as other fruits such as blueberries and peanuts. It has become known to the general public because it is said to be responsible for the health benefits of red wine.
The substance Resveratrol belongs to a class of compounds called polyphenols. Polyphenols are substances that act as antioxidants in the body and partly because of this have all kinds of health benefits for our body.
If you want to purchase resveratrol, it is important to know what types there are, what the exact effects are and how best to dose it.
What is the effect of resveratrol?
In the human body, resveratrol acts as an antioxidant (anti-oxidizing), similar to an anti-rust agent for old iron. Rusting of iron is also a form of oxidation.
Just as an anti-rust treatment prevents iron from oxidizing and thus rusting, resveratrol helps protect cells from oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body, which can lead to cell damage and aging. The strong antioxidant effect of resveratrol therefore helps to protect against the "rusting" of our body cells.
The number of free radicals in your body increases if you live an unhealthy lifestyle. This includes stress, lack of sleep, too much sugar, eating fried food, smoking and drinking alcohol.
The body also produces its own antioxidants (including glutathione and ubiquinol), but you can help your body by eating enough antioxidant-rich foods and taking a nutritional supplement with antioxidants such as resveratrol.
Trans-resveratrol: the best form
There are mainly two forms of resveratrol available on the market: cis-resveratrol and trans-resveratrol. The designation "cis" and "trans" tells something about the structure of the resveratrol molecule.
- Trans-resveratrol: is the form that is considered the most biologically active and beneficial to the body. If you want to use a resveratrol supplement, it is best to go for trans-resveratrol.
- Cis-resveratrol: this form is less biologically active than trans-resveratrol. This means that you need much more active substance to achieve the same effect.
Choosing the Best Resveratrol Supplement
- Form and Purity : Choose supplements that contain trans-resveratrol, as this form is the most effective. It is also important to choose supplements that contain little to no unnecessary fillers or artificial additives.
- Active ingredient : choose a resveratrol supplement with at least 100 mg trans-resveratrol per capsule. This is a good dosage and you can then determine the dosage yourself with multiple capsules.
- Reviews and Reputation : Read user reviews and research the reputation of the product and company to see how other consumers rate the supplement's effectiveness and quality.
What are the side effects of resveratrol?
Resveratrol is a very safe dietary supplement. Side effects of resveratrol supplements are rarely, if ever, reported, but it is important to respect the recommended dosage. Here are some possible side effects of resveratrol:
- Nausea - in rare cases, someone may feel nauseous after taking resveratrol. This can often be remedied by taking it after a meal.
- Enhanced effect on diabetic medications - in combination with diabetes medications, resveratrol can lower blood sugar levels. Therefore, consult your doctor first if you are taking medications.
- Enhancement effect on blood thinners - resveratrol can enhance the effect of blood thinners. Therefore, consult your doctor first if you use blood thinners.
The Health Benefits of Resveratrol
Resveratrol (trans-resveratrol) is a very versatile nutrient with many benefits for the human body. I have listed the most important benefits of resveratrol from food for you. [1] [2] [3]
- Good for blood sugar levels - research shows that dietary resveratrol is good for insulin sensitivity.
- Supports healthy blood pressure - it helps keep blood vessels healthy, which is essential for healthy blood pressure.
- Helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels – both total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.
- Is good for inflammation values - has to do with the antioxidant effect of resveratrol.
- Supports healthy triglyceride levels - This is the level of fat in your blood. Lower triglyceride levels are better for your health.
- Good for memory and mood - partly thanks to the influence of resveratrol on blood flow in the brain.
Resveratrol and the French Paradox
Resveratrol was first discovered in the 1930s, but it wasn't until 1992 that researchers realized it was present in red wine and may be responsible for several health benefits.
During this period, research was conducted into the possible cause of the low incidence of cardiovascular disease in France, despite the fact that the French diet is rich in saturated fats.
This phenomenon is known as the French Paradox. One of the striking elements of the French diet is the high content of resveratrol in the red wine they drink almost daily and the consumption of raw cheeses.
Famous Biohackers Who Use Resveratrol
A number of well-known biohackers have incorporated resveratrol into their lifestyles for its supposed health benefits.
- Bryan Johnson: The world's first anti-aging athlete. He hopes to live to be 200+ years old. He is using hundreds of millions to develop an anti-aging protocol (BluePrint) for humanity.
- Dave Asprey: the founder of Bulletproof and has written many books on biohacking and anti-aging.
- Tim Ferriss: Author of 'The 4-Hour Workweek' and 'The 4-Hour Body', an advocate of the use of resveratrol.
