What Is Resveratrol?

Resveratrol is a plant compound that acts like an antioxidant. The top food sources include red wine, grapes, some berries and peanuts.

This compound tends to be concentrated mostly in the skins and seeds of grapes and berries. These parts of the grape are included in the fermentation of red wine, hence its particularly high concentration of resveratrol.

Resveratrol and Anti-Aging

“As an antioxidant, resveratrol helps to prevent free radical damage, which we dermatologists now recognize as a leading cause of age spots and wrinkles,” says Loretta Ciraldo, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Loretta skincare. “Since free radicals are the result of exposure to environmental aggressors, it helps to protect skin from these aggressors. In turn, this significantly improves the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.”

Resveratrol also has anti inflammatory, skin-soothing properties that help minimize redness and inflammation, making it a choice ingredient for people with rosacea, eczema, and other related skin conditions. And like all antioxidants, it will make your skin brighter and more glowy over time.

Resveratrol Supplements May Help Lower Blood Pressure

Because of its antioxidant properties, resveratrol could be a promising supplement for lowering blood pressure.

A 2015 review concluded that high doses may help reduce the pressure exerted on artery walls when the heart beats.

That type of pressure is called systolic blood pressure, and appears as the upper number in blood pressure readings.

Systolic blood pressure typically goes up with age, as arteries stiffen. When high, it’s a risk factor for heart disease.

Resveratrol may accomplish this blood-pressure-lowering effect by helping to produce more nitric oxide, which causes blood vessels to relax.

However, the authors of that study say more research is needed before specific recommendations can be made about the best dose of resveratrol to maximize blood pressure benefits.