One of the most popular antioxidants is the resveratrol which can be found in the rose- and red wine. Resveratrol is famous of a range of positive physiological effects and chemically belongs to the category of polyphenols. Is the resveratrol so healthy as it is told to be? And what should we consume, if we do not want to drink alcohol for the healthy resveratrol?
Trans-resveratrol
The Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), native in East-Asia, got acclimatized in Europe, too, contains high amounts of the resveratrol with antioxidant properties. The plant belongs to the smartweed-buckwheat family (Polygonaceae), is perennial and herbaceous. In Japan the plant is utilized both in traditional medicine and in Japanese cuisine.
Japanese knotweed
Evaluating the health effects of a plant/bioactive component, in this case the antioxidant properties of resveratrol, the real question is, whether the putative, favourable physiological effects can be confirmed under real circumstances with scientific, human clinical studies. To dispel doubts regarding the antioxidant potency of the resveratrol, the table below depicts three, human clinical studies including volunteers.
| Method | Intervention | Volunteers | Observations |
| randomized, placebo controlled human clinical trial | 40 mg resveratrol containing Japanese knotweed extract daily for six weeks or placebo | 20 healthy, normal-weighted volunteers | significant reduction in reactive oxygen species generation,
suppressed plasma concentrations of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and C-reactive protein |
| randomized, double-blinded, placebo controlled human clinical trial | 800 mg resveratrol daily for eight weeks or placebo | 48 volunteers with type two diabetes mellitus | reduced plasma protein carbonyl content and PBMCs O2-· level,
significantly increased plasma total antioxidant capacity and total thiol content, significantly increased expression of Nrf2 and SOD |
| randomized, placebo controlled human clinical trial | 75 mg resveratrol daily for 14 weeks or placebo | 80 post-menopausal women | increases in cerebrovascular responsiveness to both hypercapnic and cognitive stimuli,
improvements were observed in the overall cognitive performance and mood tended to improve |
Therefore, it can be established, that the resveratrol supplementation has a comprehensive suppressive effect on oxidative and inflammatory stress, can significantly increase the total antioxidant capacity of the plasma and the release of some antioxidant enzymes. Also an improvement of the cognition is observed.
Furthermore, meta-analyses, summarizing similar, smaller human clinical studies, established further statements about the positive health effects of the resveratrol. At first, resveratrol seems to significantly lower the systolic blood pressure, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Similarly, resveratrol supplementation significantly lowered one of the most important parameters of carbohydrate metabolism, the haemoglobin A1c level in healthy volunteers, which reflects the average blood sugar levels. Resveratrol significantly improved glucose control and insulin sensitivity in persons with diabetes. According to the studies resveratrol favourably influences the creatinine level, one of the indicators of the renal function. Besides the positive, scientific observations, no adverse events or side effects were determined during the studies as it usually happens in case of drugs.
According to the available scientific evidences, resveratrol is an effective antioxidant for the human body. Furthermore, it could be helpful for people with high blood pressure and impaired carbohydrate metabolism after consulting a physician preventing unpleasant side effects.
According to the results, our company conducts research on a high resveratrol containing poligonum cuspidatum extract, that could be a potential component of our new, scientifically valid, health protective drink product line currently under development.