If you’re someone that follows the “I’m drinking red wine because I hear it helps add years onto your life” rule, then chances are that you are talking about the plant compound resveratrol. It’s found in red wine, grapes, berries, and peanuts and has been gaining popularity because many geneticists are singing its praises. Although the benefits are limited in their research, there’s good evidence that this supplement might be something that we’re all recommended to take in the future to age in a healthier way. From helping with blood pressure to anti-aging, here’s what we love about the anti-aging supplement, resveratrol. Keep reading for more!
The Health Benefits of Resveratrol Supplements
1) It may help lower blood pressure
High doses of this compound may help reduce pressure on the artery wall when the heart beats, according to Healthline. This helps with your risk for heart disease. Your blood starts to produce more nitric oxide, which causes blood vessels to relax. Although there is limited research into this, speak to your doctor before taking this supplement to help with your heart.
2) It lengthens your lifespan
Resveratrol is similar to fasting in how it lengthens the lifespan in different animals. It helps ward off genes that start the aging process. According to Healthline, it increases lifespan by 60% in the organisms studied. While this doesn’t mean that it helps humans for sure, it’s a good indicator that it might.
3) It helps your brain stay healthy
One of the many things that happen when you age is that your brain health may not be its strongest anymore. Cognitive decline is reduced when you take resveratrol, because of its many antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. It also seems to interfere with proteins called beta-amyloids, which help form the plague that starts Alzheimer’s.
4) May suppress cancer cells
Resveratrol has been shown to prevent and treat some kinds of cancer including gastric, colon, skin, breast, and prostate. It can stop cancer cells from replicating and spreading, changing their gene expression, and more. This way, it can stop hormone-dependent cancers from spreading any further.
