Resveratrol – An Answer To The French Paradox

Resveratrol has been receiving a great amount of attention lately as a way to improve health and prolong life. It also acts as an antioxidant, and may answer the question of the “French Paradox”.

This term refers to the question of why the rates of heart disease among those living in France are lower relative to those in other parts of the developed world. This has puzzled scientists for many years, as the French consume a diet that is high in fatty foods that clog the arteries, such as cheeses, buttery pastries, and cholesterol. Although the French have many fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and olive oil in their diets, many believe the French Paradox is due to their regular consumption of red wine. The “French Paradox” was what prompted scientists to investigate the health benefits of consuming red wine.

Many believe that consuming moderate amounts of alcohol may protect the heart and decrease the incidence of cardiovascular disease by 20 to 30 percent. However, scientists are beginning to discover that consuming resveratrol in red wine may be the real cause of improved health, rather than the alcohol.
It is well known that fat-soluble antioxidants protect the human body from harmful free radicals that are damaging chemicals thought to cause cataracts, cancer, and fat build up in the arteries. Because resveratrol contained in red wine acts as an antioxidant, its effects on humans is beneficial. In laboratory tests, resveratrol has been proven to also have anti-coagulant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Plants produce resveratrol when they respond to stress in their environment, such as dehydration, nutrient deprivation, and attacks by pathogenic organisms. These defensive molecules are called phytoalexins, a Greek word meaning plant and protector.

Resveratrol is primarily found in the skins of red and black grapes, so red wine is a good source of this nutrient. If you plan to obtain your supply of resveratrol from consuming wine, then darker, richer colored wines are generally best. The quantity of resveratrol in the wine is determined by the amount of time that the grape skins and pulp ferment. If the wine is darker in color, then it has fermented for a longer period of time and the amount of resveratrol in the wine will be greater. White wines contain very limited amounts of resveratrol.

Typically, the red wines that are produced in the Mediterranean, sunny climates will have the highest content of resveratrol. Those grapes grown in high altitudes also have high resveratrol content, as they suffer from exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation. However, these wines also tend to be the highest in alcohol content.

In a small, 5-ounce glass of dark red wine, you may obtain 2 mg of resveratrol. The amount of resveratrol that is recommended on a daily basis is between 10 and 50 mg, which would mean consuming a large quantity of wine to reach this level, and this could be dangerous to your health.

Alcohol is a toxic substance, and consuming alcohol leads to oxidative stress, impairs judgment and decision-making abilities, and promotes inflammation. Alcohol also speeds up the breakdown of antioxidants in the blood, which speeds up their elimination from the body so they are less effective in fighting infections. However, moderate consumption of alcohol provides benefits to the cardiovascular system, so if you enjoy an occasional glass of red wine, then you will also enjoy the health benefits of resveratrol.

If you do not like to consume wine due to its taste or alcohol content, there are other sources to obtain resveratrol. These include peanuts, red grapes, bilberries and cranberries. Many choose to use nutritional supplements that contain resveratrol, such as red wine or red grape extracts. These supplements also contain antioxidant polyphenols, which rid the body of hazardous wastes.

Resveratrol has no known toxic effects, although it thins the blood and prevents blood clotting. Therefore, it is not recommended to individuals who take anti-coagulant or anti-inflammatory drugs.