Aging is often seen through a negative lens. Everyone wants to stay young and healthy with the same metabolism as their teenage self, but we can’t exactly slow nature’s progression. However, among the many lifestyle choices and behavior patterns that can promote healthy living and aging, resveratrol supplementation is one that can help you stand the test of time.* 

What is resveratrol?

If you’re unfamiliar with resveratrol, you may be wondering “what is resveratrol” and “what does resveratrol do”? 

Resveratrol is one of the common plant-based compounds called polyphenols. Polyphenols provide antioxidant benefits that promote protection from oxidative stress and support the balance of inflammatory chemicals, called cytokines, throughout the body.* 

Resveratrol belongs to the stilbene class of polyphenols, and the trans-resveratrol form is most biologically active and bioavailable to the body, which is why Thorne uses undiluted trans-resveratrol in all of our resveratrol-containing products.

Foods with resveratrol

Not only is resveratrol a popular supplement, but resveratrol is also a naturally occurring polyphenol found in more than 70 plant species. You can find many resveratrol foods to add color and nutrition to your plate! 

Resveratrol is concentrated in the skins of dark colored fruits like grapes, blueberries, and cranberries and is also present in other foods like peanuts and pistachios, so there are a variety of ways to enjoy the benefits of resveratrol with a diverse diet. 

Have you heard the theory that red wine is good for your heart? That’s in part because of the resveratrol found in the skins and seeds of the grapes. Red wine is included in the widely researched Mediterranean and Blue Zone diets because of the antioxidants that help prevent coronary artery disease by modifying cholesterol levels. 

If you’re one to occasionally indulge in a glass of wine, opt for the red and blush wines for a more concentrated resveratrol dosage. Because red wine ferments with the grape skins on, the resveratrol content is higher in these compared to white wines.

Resveratrol and healthy aging

Resveratrol is one of the most well-known and researched sirtuin-enhancing compounds, making it a prominent part of healthy aging conversations.* Sirtuins are protein enzymes that regulate many cellular functions in the body, from aging and inflammation to metabolism and detoxification. They help to regulate the different body systems, supporting their proper functions and maintaining healthy tissues.

To support health during the natural aging process, resveratrol stimulates expression of SIRT-1, the sirtuin that has been most studied in the aging process.1 Resveratrol’s effect of up-regulating this sirtuin results in enhanced antioxidant power and helps to maintain balanced inflammatory chemicals, providing support for a healthy insulin response and neurological and muscular health.1 Resveratrol also helps to enhance the action of your cells’ mitochondria creating cellular energy to fuel the needs of the body.* While supporting healthy aging is a key benefit of resveratrol, there are many others to keep in mind. Keep reading to learn more about what resveratrol is used for.

Other benefits of resveratrol

In addition to supporting healthy tissues throughout the body, resveratrol also promotes healthy blood vessel function. It supports nitric oxide production, which acts as a vasodilator to help relax vessels, regulate vascular tone, and support healthy blood flow and blood pressure. This helps with proper oxygenation of tissues and mitochondrial efficiency of cellular energy production.* These are some of the key aspects of healthy cardiovascular function that the Mediterranean Diet (and resveratrol foods) are known for.

Resveratrol also acts as a nootropic. Nootropics are substances that assist with supporting healthy cognitive function, particularly memory, creativity, and motivation. Resveratrol's role in helping to maintain a healthy inflammatory response might extend to the brain as well, specifically in the hippocampus, which is the memory center of the brain.2 This suggests that resveratrol supplementation may help promote healthy memory formation and maintenance, as well as mood function as we age.*

Thorne products containing resveratrol

Thorne has a variety of products that contain resveratrol to help you meet your goals around healthy aging and healthy living.* Read more about our products with resveratrol below and take a look at our healthy aging category of products for comprehensive support: 

  • ResveraCel®
    • Considered Thorne’s “Cadillac of healthy aging,”* includes resveratrol, nicotinamide riboside (NR), quercetin, and betaine
  • PolyResveratrol-SR®
    • A combination of resveratrol; pterostilbene (which enhances the properties of resveratrol); and quercetin, green tea, and curcumin phytosomes for a wide range of antioxidant benefits*
  • Advanced Nutrients
    • Specially formulated multi-vitamin/mineral with additional antioxidant nutrients including resveratrol to promote healthy aging and set a foundation for good health*
  • Daily Greens Plus
    • A stacked formula of 28 powerhouse ingredients to promote physical and mental energy with additional antioxidants to support healthy aging*
  • SynaQuell+
    • Formulated to support brain health and encourage a healthy balance of inflammatory cytokines with multiple ingredients including resveratrol*
  • L-Arginine Plus
    • Maintain healthy blood pressure and support healthy aging with L-arginine and added antioxidant support, including resveratrol*

References

  1. Li Y, Li S, Lin C. Effect of resveratrol and pterostilbene on aging and longevity. Biofactors 2018;44(1):69-82.
  2. Kodali M, Parihar V, Hattiangady B, et al. Resveratrol prevents age-related memory and mood dysfunction with increased hippocampal neurogenesis and microvasculature, and reduced glial activation. Sci Rep 2015;5:8075.