Antioxidants are vitamins, minerals and micronutrients that are naturally present in our diet. Their role is to help protect the cells of our body against the effect of free radicals. Free radicals are produced naturally in our cells during the normal functioning of the body, but this production can be increased under the effect of certain environmental factors such as pollution or tobacco, for example. An excess of free radicals can lead to premature aging of cells and the development of certain diseases. Antioxidants are therefore there to counter them.
Resveratrol is a molecule from the plant world, known for its antioxidant properties. It is found in certain fruits, especially grapes. Focus on this antioxidant with many virtues.
health benefits resveratrol
Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant that has many beneficial effects on our body. It is able to fight against the accumulation of harmful oxidizing molecules for the maintenance of cells and the good development of the organism. It therefore helps to protect the body and prevent premature aging of the body. Resveratrol also has strong anti-inflammatory activity. It can thus help fight against chronic inflammation, which can be involved in the development of diseases such as arthritis or atherosclerosis.
Through these different capacities, he has a role in the following different aspects.
Cardiovascular health
It protects the cardiovascular system and helps protect blood vessel walls from oxidation and inflammation. It also helps fight against platelet aggregation and limit the occurrence of blood clots.
The appearance of certain pathologies
Especially in relation to diabetes. By acting on the transport of glucose and the production of insulin, resveratrol helps the body to properly regulate blood sugar. It also participates in the prevention of overweight and obesity because it is able to limit the synthesis of lipids (fats) by the body. A link is also made on cancer prevention. With its antioxidant effect, resveratrol inhibits the development of cancer cells and decreases the development of tumors in certain types of cancers. It also plays on the treatment by improving the results of chemotherapy. In cases of degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s, resveratrol decreases the process of brain cell death.
On cellular aging
Its protection of cells against free radicals is important. It also has the ability to boost collagen production. This helps protect the dermis from premature aging.
Guide d’usage of resveratrol
The sources
Resveratrol is found naturally in more than 70 plant species. The most important source is grapes. It is mainly concentrated in the skin of the grape and the quantity can vary according to the form in which the grape is found (fresh, dry, juice, wine etc.). For wine, the amount of resveratrol is directly related to the duration of its maceration. White wines and rosés are less rich than red wines.
It is also found in cocoa beans and therefore dark chocolate, cranberries, blueberries, unroasted peanuts, rhubarb, pomegranate or even blackberries, which contain small amounts of resveratrol.
Resveratrol can also be found in certain food supplements, mainly in the form of capsules or in cosmetology. The dosage varies according to the indications and ranges from 100 to 500 mg per day. In these cases, resveratrol is often combined with another natural antioxidant.
resveratrol Indications
No side effects have been reported. However, it is recommended to seek medical advice before taking such supplements.
Unless medical advice to the contrary, a cure of resveratrol is not recommended for people:
- under anticoagulant treatment;
- suffering from hypotension;
- to children;
- pregnant or breastfeeding women;
- women with a family history of gynecological cancers.
Chemical property resveratrol
Resveratrol is a polyphenol which is a molecule with the chemical formula: C14 H12 O3. This molecule can come in two forms:
- cis-resveratrol;
- trans-resveratrol. It is in this form that it is found the most, and that this molecule is the most active (with an antioxidant activity 7 times greater than that of cis-resveratrol).
History of resveratrol
Resveratrol was first identified in 1939 by Japanese researcher Michio Takaoka. This researcher succeeded in extracting it from the “white veratre”. Resveratrol takes its name from this plant. The white veratre is not the only plant containing resveratrol. In the 1960s, it was extracted from another plant, Japanese knotweed, which is a plant used in traditional medicine to fight against various pathologies.
This molecule arrives in Europe following the “French Paradox”. British epidemiologists note that despite the fact that French gastronomy is rich in fat, the French have fewer cardiovascular disorders than them. A first explanation was given: a regular and moderate consumption of wine would be at the origin of protective effects on the cardiovascular system. Other studies subsequently show that these effects were rather due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of resveratrol. At the same time, research has shown that alcohol abuse is dangerous to health.
