Trans
Resveratrol: Does it
Really Work?
Trans resveratrol is the name of a chemical that is made naturally by plants.
It is formed when certain plants are attacked by bacteria and fungi and can be found in such foods as grapes, blueberries, peanuts, bilberries
and the mulberry fruit. It was also found in the plant called white hellebore in 1940 and Japanese knotweed in the year 1963. In the year
1992 scientists started looking at this chemical and its link to possible health benefits from grape products like red wine. This item
can also be made through manmade means and is often sold to the public in the form of a nutritional supplement. These supplements are usually
made from the plant Japanese knotweed.
Trans Resveratrol Benefits
When trans resveratrol is taken as a nutritional additive it is quickly
metabolized by the human body and then eliminated making the supplements benefit short lived in the body. But tests with mice and
rats have shown that it may help fight cancer as well as work as an anti-inflammatory. In these same tests it was also shown to lower blood
sugar and helps boost the cardiovascular system. Unfortunately these tests in humans weren’t duplicated and while many experiments
have been done, conclusive results have not been decided.
Trans Resveratrol: What You Need to Know
Trans resveratrol is thought to have possible positive effects for human health by the fact
that one human trial has come out positive. This trial, done with humans, showed that using it in a very high dosage can lower a
person’s blood sugar by an impressive amount. Scientists have also seen through testing that they can extend the life of several
animals (fish, mice, flies and worms). These animals were all fed a very high calorie diet similar to what many Americans would eat. The
scientists hope to see similar results life extending benefits on people.
Last Updated: September 1, 2010
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