Harvard Study On Resveratrol – What Did It Reveal?

Resveratrol – this polyphenol, which is believed to bioavailable in fruits like blueberries, nuts, grapes, etc., has made its way to many news headlines in the internet, radio, and TV all thanks to the link it has to the French Paradox. For those of you who are not familiar with this mystery, the French people have the lowest rate and incidence of cardiovascular diseases and deaths related to it... and that is despite having a diet that contains 3 times more saturated fat than the average American diet. Is it really true that resveratrol is the answer to the French Paradox? Does it really help you maintain a healthier cardiovascular system, prevent cancer, etc. like many claims it to be?

The guys from Harvard Medical School also want to find out. To uncover the truth, they conducted a study to explore the effect that resveratrol has on obesity and to those individuals who have a high fat diet. The researchers from Harvard used mice to see if high doses of resveratrol have any positive and significant impact on obese mice. What’s the result of this Harvard study on resveratrol? Read on and find out:

Harvard Study On Resveratrol – Confirming What Previous Studies Showed
Before this Harvard study on resveratrol, there were previous studies that demonstrated the link between resveratrol as well as benefits on the cardiovascular system in lower organisms. The Harvard research and study team wanted to see if this link exists in higher mammals. The study is composed of several groups of mice – first, there was the control group that was fed with a normal diet, a group of mice that is fed with a diet that is oozing with fat, and a group of mice that was fed with high fat and cholesterol diet BUT with a resveratrol supplement. The conclusion? The group of mice that were fed with high fat diet showed shorter lifespans and also indicated signs of obesity as well as cardiovascular diseases. The control group, on the other hand, didn’t show high rates of obesity and cardiovascular disease.

HOWEVER, the results that excited the research team the MOST was the test group that was given with high fat diet coupled with a resveratrol supplement. Why? SIMPLE! This group displayed better endurance, longer life spans, less cardiovascular stress, and less symptoms of diabetes compared to the group fed with high fat diet only. There is only one difference between these 2 groups – the resveratrol supplement. And that means resveratrol is INDEED beneficial to one’s health. Just in case you don’t know, this is the first ever study that demonstrated resveratrol’s benefits to cardiovascular health and in warding off the adverse effects of obesity in mammals.

Harvard Study On Resveratrol – Taking It A Step Forward
The researchers for the Harvard study wasn’t quite contented with their findings. Instead of stopping with the question “Does resveratrol have any positive impact on health?” and answering it, the researchers took it a step forward and tried to answer the question why. It was soon discovered that resveratrol has the power to reverse the gene expressions that a diet jam packed with fat has. One enzyme was of particular interest to them – it became known as the SIRT1. Previous studies have indicated that this enzyme positively impacts life spans, obesity levels, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and those are just to name a few. The researchers from Harvard believes that resveratrol is beneficial to one’s health by stimulating the SIRT1 enzyme.

Harvard Study On Resveratrol – The Conclusion
No doubt, this study from Harvard is promising NOT only in showing the benefits that resveratrol has on higher mammals BUT also in determining under what mechanism this polyphenol works. HOWEVER, more studies are needed to have everything clear cut. Bottom line – resveratrol seems to have the potential to increase our understanding of nutrition as well as aging. Be on the watch as more research and studies uncover the truth about resveratrol.