Resveratrol is a substance belonging to the group called vegetative antioxidants. These substances are naturally manufactured in plant bodies as a response to external (environmental) stress, examples of which are weather shocks, animal and pathogen attacks and stuff like that.

Resveratrol is found in many plants. The skin of red grapes is known to be the best source of resveratrol, and unsurprisingly it is found in an appreciable quantity in red wine.

How can it benefit you?

Researches conducted on resveratrol has revealed much to general shock that this substance found in red wine can actually contribute to reducing the risks of cancer, heart diseases and premature aging. The following points will make you understand about the health benefits of resveratrol.

• Resveratrol, like other antioxidants eliminates the threat imposed by the substances called free radicals. These dangerous compounds are highly reactive, and when left unchecked can react with the cells of the body and can cause abnormal growth patterns. These growth patterns are regarded to as cancerous cells. Other studies have shown that these compounds can also contribution in heart diseases and premature aging.
• There are two major causes of cardiovascular diseases: Higher bad cholesterol levels and clotting of platelets. Both of these can lead to arterial blocks and therefore have a major contribution in Myocardial infarction (heart attack). Resveratrol effectively eliminates these two threats to a very great extent, and therefore actively helps in preventing heart diseases. This is one major health benefit of resveratrol.

The French are known to eat a lot of fat in their diet and smoke a lot. Yet, their chances of catching heart diseases are 30% lower then that of Americans because of their high consumption of red wine.

Although there are many health benefits of resveratrol but there is still no RDA (Recommended daily allowance) of this supplement. Most experts suggest that one should take about 30-50 mg at most in a day. Now this doesn’t necessarily mean that just because red wine has resveratrol in abundance, one should start drinking red wine in excess daily. It is to be remembered that red wine still has alcohol, and there are many adverse effects linked to the consumption of alcohol, specially the lethal damage caused to the liver. Resveratrol supplements like pills etc. should be taken into consideration more then the red wine.