🍷 Resveratrol

Resveratrol is a substance found in the skins of red grapes. The plant produces it to defend itself against disease and fungi. It belongs to the polyphenols, which are plentiful in red wine, berries and some nuts.

Interest in resveratrol grew out of the so-called French paradox: the French eat a lot of fatty food but have less heart disease than expected. Red wine was named as one explanation, and in it resveratrol. Experiments on cells and animals gave interesting results.

For people, however, benefit has not been proven. Wine contains very little resveratrol, and to get a dose like those in experiments one would have to drink a dangerous amount of alcohol. Doctors do not recommend drinking wine for health: alcohol is harmful, and the harm outweighs any possible benefit.

If you want polyphenols, they can be found in grapes, berries, vegetables and nuts. Resveratrol supplements also lack reliable evidence. Resveratrol remains a subject of research, not a medicine.