Benefits of Resveratrol
As a natural defense mechanism found in plants, resveratrol has a number of health benefits; when taken as a supplement, including the lowering of blood sugar levels and improvements in the immune system. Many scientists point to the compound as the key element of the Mediterranean diet, as it is commonly found in wine that is consumed in the region.
Common sources of the compound include red grapes, as well as several fruits, such as pomegranate and blueberries. With its rich antioxidant structure, a number of tests have shown that it helps the body protect cells, the nervous system and the cardiovascular system. As a result, many nutritionists strongly recommend consuming foods that contain the compound, especially for those who are recovering from illness or are at risk from compromised immune systems. Completely healthy individuals, however, can expect a wide range of benefits, including improved auto-immune response as well as potential improvements in metabolic rates that aid in weight regulation.
Leading researchers have shown that it is particularly effective in helping to prevent the onset of particular forms of cancer. In fact, a National Institutes of Health survey reviewed a number of studies which showed laboratory evidence of its benefits in combating the disease. Not only can it help ward off illness, but resveratrol has been linked to improved cardiovascular performance in fully healthy individuals, and is recommended by sports nutritionists to help athletes to recover from long periods of exertion.
The benefits of resveratrol have been splashed all over the media since the discovery that they may lengthen life. Perhaps you caught stories on
60 Minutes, the Dow Jones Online Report (below), talked about by
Barbara Walters, discussed on
Fox News, recently reported on by Rosemary Ellis, editor of
GoodHousekeeping Magazine on the Today Show and by Dr. Mehmet Oz on the Oprah Winfrey Show.
The Antioxidant Solution
Don't be afraid of resveratrol, you've been getting resveratrol benefits from one or more of these six sources your whole life: