Resveratrol

    Researchedby:
    Katherine Nguyen, Brady Holmer

    Fact-checked

    by:

    Gregory Lopez, Nick Milazzo
    Last Updated: June 3, 2024

    Resveratrol is a bioactive molecule found in plant sources such as grapes, peanuts, blueberries, and, famously, red wine. Resveratrol has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that benefit cardiovascular function, glycemic control, and lipid metabolism. Although it’s promoted for lifespan extension, there’s no evidence for this in humans and limited evidence in animals.

    What is resveratrol?

    Resveratrol is a compound in plants such as grapes, peanuts, and blueberries. It’s popularly known for its presence in red wine — which is also used as a possible explanation for the phenomenon called the “French Paradox”, which refers to the low incidence of cardiovascular disease among the French population despite their high intake of dietary fat. This low disease incidence was thought to be attributed to their intake of red wine.[3]

    What are resveratrol’s main benefits?

    Resveratrol is best known for its cardiovascular health benefits. In humans, resveratrol improves endothelial function[4][5] and may have a blood-pressure-lowering effect in some populations.[6][7][8] In vitro, resveratrol protects against atherosclerosis.[9][10][11]

    In adults with type 2 diabetes, resveratrol improves fasting glucose, HbA1c, and insulin sensitivity but doesn’t appear to benefit adults without the disease.[7][12][13] Resveratrol consistently reduces the inflammatory cytokines C-reactive protein (CRP) and TNF-alpha.[14][15]

    Despite the plausibility of resveratrol’s potential effects on blood lipids and body composition, resveratrol doesn’t appear to improve blood lipids in adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)[16][17][18] or body composition in adults with cardiometabolic conditions.[6]

    Does resveratrol promote longevity?

    Is red wine healthy?

    What are resveratrol’s main drawbacks?

    Resveratrol has poor bioavailability due to its rapid and extensive metabolism.[19][20]

    Human studies suggest resveratrol can be supplemented at dosages up to 5,000 mg (5 grams) daily with few to no side effects outside of some intestinal upset and nausea.[1][2]

    Resveratrol doses of 1,000 mg/day or more may interfere with the biological effects of commonly administered drugs by inhibiting cytochrome p450 isoenzymes. For example, resveratrol inhibits enzymes that play a role in the metabolism of statins, calcium channel blockers, immunosuppressants, antifungals, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), anticoagulants, beta-blockers, antidepressants, opioid analgesics, and antihistamines, among others.[21] If you take any medication, consult your doctor before supplementing with resveratrol, no matter the dose.

    How does resveratrol work?

    The cardioprotective effects of resveratrol are primarily due to its ability to protect cells against oxidative damage by scavenging free radicals and inhibiting their production. Resveratrol also increases antioxidant levels[22] and inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e., TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6).[23][24][25] Resveratrol also appears to have anti-fibrotic and anti-hypertrophic effects in the heart[26][27] and may improve mitochondrial biogenesis and function.[28][29]

    Regarding its lipid-lowering and glucose-lowering effects, resveratrol activates the metabolic regulators AMPK and Sirt1, thereby improving lipid metabolism and fat accumulation in the liver[18] and increasing glucose uptake into skeletal muscle (i.e., improving insulin sensitivity) — explaining resveratrol’s potential to treat nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), type 2 diabetes, and related conditions.

    What are other names for Resveratrol

    Note that Resveratrol is also known as:
    • Red Wine Extract
    • 3 5 4'-trihydroxystilbene
    • “The red wine molecule”

    Dosage information

    The therapeutic dose of resveratrol ranges from 8.1 mg per day to 3,000 mg per day.

    Studies in humans suggest resveratrol can be supplemented at dosages up to 5 grams (5,000 mg) daily with few to no side effects outside of some intestinal upset and nausea.[1][2]

    Frequently asked questions

    What is resveratrol?

    Resveratrol is a compound in plants such as grapes, peanuts, and blueberries. It’s popularly known for its presence in red wine — which is also used as a possible explanation for the phenomenon called the “French Paradox”, which refers to the low incidence of cardiovascular disease among the French population despite their high intake of dietary fat. This low disease incidence was thought to be attributed to their intake of red wine.[3]

    What are resveratrol’s main benefits?

    Resveratrol is best known for its cardiovascular health benefits. In humans, resveratrol improves endothelial function[4][5] and may have a blood-pressure-lowering effect in some populations.[6][7][8] In vitro, resveratrol protects against atherosclerosis.[9][10][11]

    In adults with type 2 diabetes, resveratrol improves fasting glucose, HbA1c, and insulin sensitivity but doesn’t appear to benefit adults without the disease.[7][12][13] Resveratrol consistently reduces the inflammatory cytokines C-reactive protein (CRP) and TNF-alpha.[14][15]

    Despite the plausibility of resveratrol’s potential effects on blood lipids and body composition, resveratrol doesn’t appear to improve blood lipids in adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)[16][17][18] or body composition in adults with cardiometabolic conditions.[6]

    Does resveratrol promote longevity?

    In humans, the answer is, unfortunately, “we don’t know.”

    However, a meta-analysis of 19 studies on species including yeast, nematode worms, mice, fruit flies, and fish indicated that resveratrol reduced the risk of death. Specifically, the risk of death during the average lifespan was around 49%–60% lower for worms, yeast, and killifish who were treated with resveratrol — fruit flies and mice didn’t seem to obtain a lifespan benefit.[30]

    The longevity-promoting effects of resveratrol are often attributed to its ability to induce cells to clear out their dysfunctional components and proteins — a process known as autophagy — and reduce oxidative stress.[31] Resveratrol also seems to prevent age-related declines in neurocognitive function and physical capacity, which may contribute to a lower incidence of aging-associated diseases and extend the healthy lifespan (also known as “healthspan”).

    In rodents, resveratrol protects against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia, against the age-related decline in muscle mass and strength known as sarcopenia, and against cancer, infertility, and osteoporosis. Thus, although resveratrol seems promising for preventing diseases associated with aging in animals, its effects on healthspan and lifespan will need to be verified in randomized controlled studies of humans.[31]

    Is red wine healthy?

    Although moderate alcohol consumption has been associated with a lower risk of certain diseases, the safest amount of alcohol for most people is probably close to zero.

    That being said, alcohol — particularly wine — may contain some healthy compounds, with resveratrol being the most widely known. Wine’s resveratrol content has been used to support observations such as the “French paradox” — the observation that the French have a lower cardiovascular mortality rate compared to other countries despite their high intake of saturated fats.[32]

    Indeed, red wine comprises many phenolic compounds, including flavonoids (flavonols, flavones, and anthocyanidins) and non-flavonoid compounds (hydroxycinnamic acids, stilbenes such as resveratrol, and tannins),[33] all of which exert biological effects.

    But what’s the link between wine consumption per se and various diseases? Some observational evidence has found that wine drinking is associated with protection from ischemic heart disease and cardiovascular complications in people who previously suffered a heart attack.[34][35] Moderate wine consumption has also been associated with reduced CVD mortality,[36][37] type 2 diabetes,[38] and all-cause mortality.

    However, wine consumption is also associated with a higher socioeconomic status, healthier behaviors, and fewer risk factors for other illnesses — confounding factors that may explain part of the apparently beneficial effects of wine consumption.[39] In other words, wine drinkers may be healthier, but it might not be because of the wine.

    Finally, the bioavailability of resveratrol from red wine is extremely low. Only trace amounts of free trans-resveratrol were observed in blood samples taken 30 minutes after drinking wine with or without a low-fat or high-fat meal. Rather, the resveratrol metabolites 3-glucuronide and 4′-glucuronide predominated, raising doubts about the bioavailability of resveratrol and its effects on health in humans.[40]

    So, will drinking wine help you live longer? Probably not, but enjoying a glass or two with dinner doesn’t seem to be harmful to your health. Drink responsibly if you choose to do so.

    What are resveratrol’s main drawbacks?

    Resveratrol has poor bioavailability due to its rapid and extensive metabolism.[19][20]

    Human studies suggest resveratrol can be supplemented at dosages up to 5,000 mg (5 grams) daily with few to no side effects outside of some intestinal upset and nausea.[1][2]

    Resveratrol doses of 1,000 mg/day or more may interfere with the biological effects of commonly administered drugs by inhibiting cytochrome p450 isoenzymes. For example, resveratrol inhibits enzymes that play a role in the metabolism of statins, calcium channel blockers, immunosuppressants, antifungals, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), anticoagulants, beta-blockers, antidepressants, opioid analgesics, and antihistamines, among others.[21] If you take any medication, consult your doctor before supplementing with resveratrol, no matter the dose.

    How does resveratrol work?

    The cardioprotective effects of resveratrol are primarily due to its ability to protect cells against oxidative damage by scavenging free radicals and inhibiting their production. Resveratrol also increases antioxidant levels[22] and inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e., TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6).[23][24][25] Resveratrol also appears to have anti-fibrotic and anti-hypertrophic effects in the heart[26][27] and may improve mitochondrial biogenesis and function.[28][29]

    Regarding its lipid-lowering and glucose-lowering effects, resveratrol activates the metabolic regulators AMPK and Sirt1, thereby improving lipid metabolism and fat accumulation in the liver[18] and increasing glucose uptake into skeletal muscle (i.e., improving insulin sensitivity) — explaining resveratrol’s potential to treat nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), type 2 diabetes, and related conditions.

    Update History

    Adjusted units in a FAQ

    minor

    Reviewed by

    References

    1. ^Ketan R Patel, Edwina Scott, Victoria A Brown, Andreas J Gescher, William P Steward, Karen BrownClinical trials of resveratrolAnn N Y Acad Sci.(2011 Jan)
    2. ^Howells LM, Berry DP, Elliott PJ, Jacobson EW, Hoffmann E, Hegarty B, Brown K, Steward WP, Gescher AJPhase I randomized, double-blind pilot study of micronized resveratrol (SRT501) in patients with hepatic metastases--safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics.Cancer Prev Res (Phila).(2011-Sep)
    3. ^Lippi G, Franchini M, Favaloro EJ, Targher GModerate red wine consumption and cardiovascular disease risk: beyond the "French paradox".Semin Thromb Hemost.(2010-Feb)
    4. ^Mohammadipoor N, Shafiee F, Rostami A, Kahrizi MS, Soleimanpour H, Ghodsi M, Ansari MJ, Bokov DO, Jannat B, Mosharkesh E, Pour Abbasi MSResveratrol supplementation efficiently improves endothelial health: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Phytother Res.(2022-Sep)
    5. ^Akbari M, Tamtaji OR, Lankarani KB, Tabrizi R, Dadgostar E, Kolahdooz F, Jamilian M, Mirzaei H, Asemi ZThe Effects of Resveratrol Supplementation on Endothelial Function and Blood Pressures Among Patients with Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.High Blood Press Cardiovasc Prev.(2019-Aug)
    6. ^Sheida Zeraattalab-Motlagh, Ahmad Jayedi, Sakineh Shab-BidarThe effects of resveratrol supplementation in patients with type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: an umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trialsAm J Clin Nutr.(2021 Nov 8)
    7. ^Abdelhaleem IA, Brakat AM, Adayel HM, Asla MM, Rizk MA, Aboalfetoh AYThe effects of resveratrol on glycemic control and cardiometabolic parameters in patients with T2DM: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Med Clin (Barc).(2022-Jun-24)
    8. ^Samuel R Weaver, Catarina Rendeiro, Helen M McGettrick, Andrew Philp, Samuel J E LucasFine wine or sour grapes? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of red wine polyphenols on vascular healthEur J Nutr.(2021 Feb)
    9. ^Kao CL, Chen LK, Chang YL, Yung MC, Hsu CC, Chen YC, Lo WL, Chen SJ, Ku HH, Hwang SJResveratrol protects human endothelium from H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative stress and senescence via SirT1 activation.J Atheroscler Thromb.(2010-Sep-30)
    10. ^Zou J, Huang Y, Chen Q, Wei E, Cao K, Wu JMEffects of resveratrol on oxidative modification of human low density lipoprotein.Chin Med J (Engl).(2000-Feb)
    11. ^Zou JG, Huang YZ, Chen Q, Wei EH, Hsieh TC, Wu JMResveratrol inhibits copper ion-induced and azo compound-initiated oxidative modification of human low density lipoprotein.Biochem Mol Biol Int.(1999-Jun)
    12. ^García-Martínez BI, Ruiz-Ramos M, Pedraza-Chaverri J, Santiago-Osorio E, Mendoza-Núñez VMInfluence of Age and Dose on the Effect of Resveratrol for Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Molecules.(2022-Aug-16)
    13. ^Liu K, Zhou R, Wang B, Mi MTEffect of resveratrol on glucose control and insulin sensitivity: a meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials.Am J Clin Nutr.(2014-Jun)
    14. ^Armita Mahdavi Gorabi, Saeed Aslani, Danyal Imani, Bahman Razi, Thozhukat Sathyapalan, Amirhossein SahebkarEffect of resveratrol on C-reactive protein: An updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsPhytother Res.(2021 Dec)
    15. ^Melodi Omraninava, Bahman Razi, Saeed Aslani, Danyal Imani, Tannaz Jamialahmadi, Amirhossein SahebkarEffect of resveratrol on inflammatory cytokines: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsEur J Pharmacol.(2021 Oct 5)
    16. ^Karolina Jakubczyk, Karolina Skonieczna-Żydecka, Justyna Kałduńska, Ewa Stachowska, Izabela Gutowska, Katarzyna JandaEffects of Resveratrol Supplementation in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease-A Meta-AnalysisNutrients.(2020 Aug 13)
    17. ^Sahar Rafiee, Hamed Mohammadi, Abed Ghavami, Erfan Sadeghi, Zahra Safari, Gholamreza AskariEfficacy of resveratrol supplementation in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trialsComplement Ther Clin Pract.(2020 Dec 4)
    18. ^He X, Li Y, Deng X, Xiao X, Zeng JIntegrative evidence construction for resveratrol treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: preclinical and clinical meta-analyses.Front Pharmacol.(2023)
    19. ^Walle T, Hsieh F, DeLegge MH, Oatis JE Jr, Walle UKHigh absorption but very low bioavailability of oral resveratrol in humansDrug Metab Dispos.(2004 Dec)
    20. ^Wenzel E, Somoza VMetabolism and bioavailability of trans-resveratrol.Mol Nutr Food Res.(2005-May)
    21. ^Detampel P, Beck M, Krähenbühl S, Huwyler JDrug interaction potential of resveratrol.Drug Metab Rev.(2012-Aug)
    22. ^Zhu W, Chen S, Li Z, Zhao X, Li W, Sun Y, Zhang Z, Ling W, Feng XEffects and mechanisms of resveratrol on the amelioration of oxidative stress and hepatic steatosis in KKAy mice.Nutr Metab (Lond).(2014)
    23. ^Csiszar AAnti-inflammatory effects of resveratrol: possible role in prevention of age-related cardiovascular disease.Ann N Y Acad Sci.(2011-Jan)
    24. ^Wang M, Weng X, Chen H, Chen Z, Liu XResveratrol inhibits TNF-α-induced inflammation to protect against renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in diabetic rats.Acta Cir Bras.(2020-Jul-03)
    25. ^Malaguarnera LInfluence of Resveratrol on the Immune Response.Nutrients.(2019-Apr-26)
    26. ^Dolinsky VW, Soltys CL, Rogan KJ, Chan AY, Nagendran J, Wang S, Dyck JRResveratrol prevents pathological but not physiological cardiac hypertrophy.J Mol Med (Berl).(2015-Apr)
    27. ^Zou LX, Chen C, Yan X, Lin QY, Fang J, Li PB, Han X, Wang QS, Guo SB, Li HH, Zhang YLResveratrol Attenuates Pressure Overload-Induced Cardiac Fibrosis and Diastolic Dysfunction via PTEN/AKT/Smad2/3 and NF-κB Signaling Pathways.Mol Nutr Food Res.(2019-Dec)
    28. ^Csiszar A, Labinskyy N, Pinto JT, Ballabh P, Zhang H, Losonczy G, Pearson K, de Cabo R, Pacher P, Zhang C, Ungvari ZResveratrol induces mitochondrial biogenesis in endothelial cells.Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol.(2009-Jul)
    29. ^Ma S, Feng J, Zhang R, Chen J, Han D, Li X, Yang B, Li X, Fan M, Li C, Tian Z, Wang Y, Cao FSIRT1 Activation by Resveratrol Alleviates Cardiac Dysfunction via Mitochondrial Regulation in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Mice.Oxid Med Cell Longev.(2017)
    30. ^Katie L Hector, Malgorzata Lagisz, Shinichi NakagawaThe effect of resveratrol on longevity across species: a meta-analysisBiol Lett.(2012 Oct 23)
    31. ^Zhou DD, Luo M, Huang SY, Saimaiti A, Shang A, Gan RY, Li HBEffects and Mechanisms of Resveratrol on Aging and Age-Related Diseases.Oxid Med Cell Longev.(2021)
    32. ^St Leger AS, Cochrane AL, Moore FFactors associated with cardiac mortality in developed countries with particular reference to the consumption of wine.Lancet.(1979-May-12)
    33. ^Stockley C, Teissedre PL, Boban M, Di Lorenzo C, Restani PBioavailability of wine-derived phenolic compounds in humans: a review.Food Funct.(2012-Oct)
    34. ^Klatsky AL, Friedman GD, Armstrong MA, Kipp HWine, liquor, beer, and mortality.Am J Epidemiol.(2003-Sep-15)
    35. ^de Lorgeril M, Salen P, Martin JL, Boucher F, Paillard F, de Leiris JWine drinking and risks of cardiovascular complications after recent acute myocardial infarction.Circulation.(2002-Sep-17)
    36. ^Renaud SC, Guéguen R, Conard P, Lanzmann-Petithory D, Orgogozo JM, Henry OModerate wine drinkers have lower hypertension-related mortality: a prospective cohort study in French men.Am J Clin Nutr.(2004-Sep)
    37. ^M Grønbaek, U Becker, D Johansen, A Gottschau, P Schnohr, H O Hein, G Jensen, T I SørensenType of alcohol consumed and mortality from all causes, coronary heart disease, and cancerAnn Intern Med.(2000 Sep 19)
    38. ^Beulens JW, van der Schouw YT, Bergmann MM, Rohrmann S, Schulze MB, Buijsse B, Grobbee DE, Arriola L, Cauchi S, Tormo MJ, Allen NE, van der A DL, Balkau B, Boeing H, Clavel-Chapelon F, de Lauzon-Guillan B, Franks P, Froguel P, Gonzales C, Halkjaer J, Huerta JM, Kaaks R, Key TJ, Khaw KT, Krogh V, Molina-Montes E, Nilsson P, Overvad K, Palli D, Panico S, Ramón Quirós J, Rolandsson O, Romieu I, Romaguera D, Sacerdote C, Sánchez MJ, Spijkerman AM, Teucher B, Tjonneland A, Tumino R, Sharp S, Forouhi NG, Langenberg C, Feskens EJ, Riboli E, Wareham NJ,Alcohol consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes in European men and women: influence of beverage type and body size The EPIC-InterAct study.J Intern Med.(2012-Oct)
    39. ^Klatsky AL, Armstrong MA, Kipp HCorrelates of alcoholic beverage preference: traits of persons who choose wine, liquor or beer.Br J Addict.(1990-Oct)
    40. ^Vitaglione P, Sforza S, Galaverna G, Ghidini C, Caporaso N, Vescovi PP, Fogliano V, Marchelli RBioavailability of trans-resveratrol from red wine in humans.Mol Nutr Food Res.(2005-May)