There has been a lot of talk in recent years about resveratrol, the “miracle substance”, extracted from dark fruits, called thus due to its powerful antioxidant properties. Few know that the habit of drinking red wine, which is a natural source of resveratrol, underlies the medical explanation of the “French paradox”, i.e. that the French have the healthiest cardio -vascular system in the world, although they eat fatty foods.
Red wine consumption has been promoted since ancient times as a good paliative for the body in general, but especially for the cardiovascular system. More recently, researchers have found that resveratrol can increase life expectancy.
Cardiovascular disease
This substance first came to the attention of researchers several years ago, as a possible explanation for the low incidence of cardiovascular disease among the French, who have a relatively high fat diet, but are known for their high levels of consumption of wine. Resveratrol is promoted and considered a powerful antioxidant by researchers.
Resveratrol is also present in grape skins, in a concentration of 50 to 100 milligrams per gram. Experts claim that resveratrol can neutralize free radicals and is useful in the prevention and treatment of degenerative diseases of the nervous system, due to its neuroprotective properties.
20 times more powerful than Vitamin C
Resveratrol is considered the world’s most powerful antioxidant, four-five times stronger than beta-carotene, 50 times stronger than Vitamin E, and 20 times stronger than Vitamin C. It is found in red grapes, wine, grape juice, as well as in blueberries and blackberries.
Anti-cancer
Resveratrol is an anti-tumor substance. It slows the increase of cancer cells by 50% and can even stop their emergence. At the same time, it stimulates cell growth, as well as their regeneration capacity. Resveratrol maintains the proper functioning of platelets, helps lower blood viscosity, and thus improves blood circulation, as it helps keep the arteries elastic.
Furthermore, a recent study conducted by a University of Missouri researcher has shown that resveratrol can make certain tumor cells more susceptible to radiation treatment. This research, which studied melanoma cells, followed a previous MU study that found similar results in the treatment of prostate cancer. The next step for researchers is to develop a successful method for delivering the compound to tumors and potentially treating many types of cancer. “Our study investigated how resveratrol and radiotherapy inhibit the survival of melanoma cells”, said Michael Nicholl, an assistant professor of surgery at the MU School of Medicine and surgical oncologist at the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center in Columbia. “This work expands upon our previous success with resveratrol and radiation in prostate cancer. Because of difficulties involved in delivery of adequate amounts of resveratrol to melanoma tumors, the compound is probably not an effective treatment for advanced melanoma at this time”.
Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial
Resveratrol is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial substance. It maintains skin firmness, its elasticity, and prevents premature aging. It also improves memory and increases immunity against stress. It lowers blood sugar levels and is great for retinal damage in diabetics and those suffering from hypertension. Resveratrol is best healthcare also improves vision and reshapes affected genes, thus preventing the inheritance of diabetes and hypertension.