What is Resveratrol?

Resveratrol is a naturally occurring compound that is found in various plants but most familiarly in red grapes and Japanese knotweed. Resveratrol is touted to have a myriad of extremely beneficial effects on the body in a few key ways.

The Effects of Resveratrol
Resveratrol primarily acts as a potent anti-oxidant. Anti-oxidants help fight free radicals that have the potential to harm various cells in your body from skin cells to organ cells. Free radicals are molecules that can cause your body's cells to react in unpredictable and damaging ways. Some studies suggest that free radicals may cause various types of cancer including skin cancer. In addition to the anti-oxidant effects, resveratrol also has some very amazing properties that aren't technically classified just yet. Studies in lower mammals have shown that a fairly large dose of resveratrol can help you live a longer, healthier life with a reduced risk of heart disease and the development of various cancers.
Where Does Resveratrol Come From?

The most familiar source of resveratrol is the skin of red grapes. You've probably heard about this on television news shows such as Oprah, 20/20, Dateline, and more. It's been recommended for over a decade to drink a glass of red wine or two each week to help prevent heart disease and it's the resveratrol that's responsible. Other sources of this compound include berries, peanuts, and certain other plants but it's most highly concentrated in a plant known as Japanese knotweed.

How Should You Take Resveratrol?
This question isn't easily answered. If you are young and healthy, a few glasses of red wine each week will give you the long term benefits of a lowered heart disease risk and reduced risk of certain types of cancer. Unfortunately, not everyone likes red wine. Supplements are probably the way to go for most people. Not only can you get a super large dose at once, you won't have to spend half your days intoxicated which could lead to other medical problems. Resveratrol has become so common, you can usually find it at your local drug store or pharmacy but it's usually easier to find a good online store that offers free trials, various dosage levels, and maybe some other perks for using their service.