Resveratrol Benefits – Real Or Just Hype?

Unless you’ve been far, far away from civilization for the past couple years, you have heard all of the hoopla surrounding the “miracle” compound Resveratrol, and you may be wondering if Resveratrol benefits are real or just part of an out-of-control marketing scheme. The truth of the matter is that the benefits of Resveratrol are very real - if you purchase a quality product from a reputable manufacturer and use the supplements as directed. Simply eating foods that are known to contain Resveratrol compounds will not provide you with any particular benefit because you would have to consume vast quantities of the food in order to gain the benefit (like 80 cups of peanuts a day).

Consumers are rightfully Cynical

With the market being flooded with so many claims about Resveratrol, it is no small wonder that many consumers are somewhat cynical when it comes to nutritional supplements. This week, one product is touted as the best, next week, an entirely different product is supposed to be the “miracle” we’ve all been waiting for. With Resveratrol, however, this “hype” is actually something that should make us set up and listen.

Resveratrol Benefits

Many scientists are calling Resveratrol the “fountain of youth” because of its anti-aging properties; in fact, in one study, fish that were fed Resveratrol lived far longer than fish that were not. One reason that Resveratrol helps to fight aging is that it has some of the most potently powerful antioxidant properties of any known substance. Antioxidants, as you may know, fight the damage that free radicals can inflict on the body. Aging is caused, for the most part, by free radicals. Because of its ability to destroy or eradicate free radicals, Resveratrol is also being closely studied for its ability to ward off serious illnesses like cancer, cardiovascular disease and diseases that cause degeneration of the neurological system.

Resveratrol has been shown to stop the grown of the herpes simplex virus in humans, and works to treat skin disorders as well. For those looking to lose a few pounds, Resveratrol may increase the metabolic rate of the body, causing the body to burn fat, even when you don’t have time to exercise. What’s more, Resveratrol can give you added energy and stamina to make the times you do work out more effective, and perhaps to make you feel more like getting up, getting out of the house and exercising to begin with. For these reasons, a great benefit of Resveratrol is its ability to promote weight loss. As an added benefit, those people who take Resveratrol often find that their cholesterol levels are lowered.

Choosing a Resveratrol Supplement

When you choose a Resveratrol supplement, take special care to choose one that contains the minimum amount of 20 mg of Resveratrol per serving. Anything less is not worth the effort; inversely, anything more may cause diarrhea. Some companies tout their Resveratrol products as being more effective because they contain a higher concentration of the compound – but this simply doesn’t increase the effectiveness of the supplement at all. If possible, choose a Resveratrol product that features an enteric coating. This helps the product to be more effective because it will be released in the upper intestine, where the PH level is not as harsh and the Resveratrol will be absorbed more readily. In conclusion, Resveratrol benefits are real – not hype – if you buy a quality supplement!