With so many different supplements on the market today, you may have had some difficulty finding ones that actually work for you. Supplements specifically with anti-aging benefits have been increasing in popularity lately, such as resveratrol.
Resveratrol is a chemical that is naturally found in foods like berries and peanuts, including grape juice. The skin and seeds of grapes and berries in particular contain the highest concentrated amount of resveratrol overall, but there are other ways to intake this chemical. Resveratrol can be offered as a supplement, which can be taken in powder, pill, and liquid form.
Resveratrol offers several antioxidant properties that can be beneficial for our bodies, primarily including the skin. In this article, I will be going over main points that include:
- Health benefits provided by resveratrol
- Dosage information
- Best resveratrol supplements on the market
- Potential side effects
Why Resveratrol?
As already mentioned, resveratrol is a chemical that naturally occurs in both plants and foods. Resveratrol belongs to a group called stilbene polyphenols. It is made by plants to help them fight off damages and infections, which is how resveratrol is used throughout our bodies. It also neutralizes compounds that can damage cells if levels are too high, and offers anti-inflammatory, antiaging, and anti-cancer properties.
When It Comes to the Skin
As well as benefiting our bodies, resveratrol may also be of aid when it comes to our skin. Check out these benefits related to the skin that resveratrol provides:
- Skin protection: Since resveratrol holds antioxidant properties, it is able to protect the skin from the harmful free radicals that may be the cause of oxidative stress. Other antioxidant properties can help protect the skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun, and can even slow the process of photoaging.
- Prevents premature aging: Resveratrol stimulates the proliferation of fibroblasts within the skin, which increases the skin’s collagen concentration. An increase in collagen could lead to an improvement in the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.
- Soothes the skin: Certain microbial properties of resveratrol can help to soothe skin that’s irritated. Dealing with acne? Resveratrol actually fights the bacteria that can cause acne, and can even the skin’s complexion by lightening acne scarring.
Choosing the Right Supplement
Other than the foods where you can get resveratrol, there are plenty of supplements out there if you’re trying to absorb more into your system. Grape skins are among those foods that contain the highest concentrated amount of resveratrol. When you’re looking for the right supplement, it may be beneficial to look for those that are actually using grape skins.
Resveratrol comes in two different forms, which are identified as the cis and trans forms. There has been more research done on the trans form, and it’s regarded as more of the biologically active form.
Even though there are a variety of supplements for resveratrol, the method you use will depend on which health benefits you are trying to improve. If you’re looking to maximize on those skin benefits, you should be using the chemical topically. Taking it through a powder, pill, or liquid will take much longer for the effects to reach the skin.
Incorporating Resveratrol Into your Skincare Routine
When it comes to your skincare routine, the order you apply each of the products is important as they all work differently within the skin. Typically, you’ll want to layer products from lightest to heaviest. For example, if you’re using a resveratrol serum you will want to use it after the cleaning and toning process. This is because serums are a bit heavier in consistency as opposed to other products that contain resveratrol.
No matter what kind of resveratrol supplement you prefer to go with, one of the most important things you can do is purchase from a brand that has a good reputation. Do your research prior, and look at the ingredients that the companies are using. The most harmful ingredients to look out for include:
- Sulfates
- Parabens
- Added fragrances
Ingredients lists on supplements can seem long, but the first ten are usually the most important. This is because ingredients are listed from highest concentration to lowest, so the first few make up the majority of the product. Since resveratrol is the ingredient you’re looking for, it should be included among the top ten at least!
How Much Resveratrol Should I Take?
Like many supplements, the health benefits you reap will be dependent on what your dosage is like. In a study from 2012, it was shown that a 2,000 milligram dose of trans-resveratrol twice a day was tolerated well. It’s advised that you take resveratrol with some kind of low fat snack or meal.
When taken in the appropriate dose, resveratrol could help improve several health conditions. Some of these health conditions can include:
- Brain and heart conditions: Since resveratrol is an antioxidant, it is also an anti-inflammatory. This means that it will protect your cells from damage, and help brain and heart inflammation by providing a lining for your blood vessels to prevent an injury.
- Blood clotting: Resveratrol is a type of polyphenol, and polyphenols may actually improve blood vessel function and can even slow down the formation of blood clots.
Even though there haven’t been many studies done on humans regarding resveratrol, we can gain insight from animal studies into the positive effects of different dosages on several diseases. Here are some suggested doses (in milligrams) for medical conditions that may be improved by resveratrol intake:
- Colon cancer: 3 mg per day
- Neuroblastoma: 228 mg per day
- Myocardial infarction: 3 mg per day
- Cardiac hypertrophy: 113 or 565 mg per day
- Myocardial ischemia: 28 mg or 226 mg per day
Best Resveratrol Supplements in 2023
Now that you’re more familiar with resveratrol and some of the conditions it may help, check out some of the best products that are out on the market today!
Dr. Emil Resveratrol Plus
I have my very own resveratrol supplements that are enhanced with quercetin. Quercetin is a plant pigment flavonoid found in plants and foods, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that might help reduce inflammation, support glucose regulation, and help with cardiovascular health. This formulation has been worked on utilizing my expertise in both science and supplementation.
Purely Beneficial Resveratrol
Purely beneficial is a company based in California that focuses on providing the best possible health supplements. They sell various products, such as elderberry, apple cider vinegar, tart cherry, charcoal, and more. Their own supplement is a blend of antioxidants and 605 milligrams of resveratrol, and completely GMP-certified, vegetarian, and FDA-inspected.
MAAC10 Trans-Resveratrol
MAAC10 is a company with a heavy focus on mitochondrial health and cellular respiration. This company runs on a holistic approach, and they sell other products which include nicotinamide mononucleotide, NADH, CoQ10, and more. Bioperine is the common ingredient throughout the formula of these supplements, which helps the resveratrol bypass the liver and enter the bloodstream.
Some other important details to note about this product include:
- Egg, milk, fish, tree nut, peanut, soy, wheat, and preservative free
- GMP-certified
- Pure resveratrol is the only thing included, no blend
Potential Side Effects of Resveratrol
Fortunately, there have not been any severe side effects directly reported from resveratrol supplements. If you do experience any side effects, you can expect them to be quite mild. These side effects might include:
- Moderate upset stomach and diarrhea
- Slowed blood clotting
- Increased exposure to estrogen
While you might want to try out resveratrol to experience some health benefits, it should be avoided if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a bleeding disorder, or expected to have surgery in the near future.
Pregnancy + Resveratrol
A study was done in which a western-style diet was fed to pregnant monkeys, and it included 36% fat. They were also fed a supplement containing 0.37% resveratrol, compared to a control group that was given a diet that contained 14% fat.
A study published in The FASEB Journal revealed that the animals that were given a supplement containing resveratrol experienced a significant increase in the blood flow to their fetus. This could help reduce the risk of various health issues that can occur during pregnancy.
After monitoring the animals for several weeks, the researchers discovered that the fetus of the monkeys that were given a resveratrol supplement had an unusual development. This condition could increase their risk of diabetes.
Try Resveratrol Today
Resveratrol can offer a variety of potential health benefits as a supplement, and it’s important to take the appropriate amount so not you’re not actually putting your health at risk. The best thing to do is follow the label of the product you buy, and not take too little or too much. Check out some of the products that have been mentioned, and prioritize your health throughout this new year!
