Wine, peanuts, bilberries, blueberries, cranberries and grapes contain resveratrol. But, the amount that they contain is very low. In many cases, less than a milligram per cup can be detected. Since that is the case, why are some supplement companies suggesting that we should take hundreds of milligrams per day? Let’s try to answer that question.
First, there is a problem with bioavailability. Bioavailability is a term used by scientists to describe how much of a nutrient (or a drug) ends up in the bloodstream when it is taken orally. When a nutrient is injected, it has 100 bioavailability. The bioavailability of anything taken by mouth is much lower.
Some nutrients are easily degraded by gastric juices or broken down by the liver, which is the case with all drugs. If they are released in the stomach, they are changed into inactive compounds. If they are protected from stomach acid, by an enteric coating, they will be released in the upper intestine, where they can pass into the bloodstream through the intestinal walls, without interacting with the liver.
We realize that grapes contain resveratrol, but knowing all of this, we realize that little, if any, of the nutrient ends up in the bloodstream when we eat them. So, how could wine or other foods containing the nutrient be beneficial to our health?
Most experts believe that the health benefits of specific foods are due to all of the different nutrients found in them. They also believe that single ingredient supplements are probably a waste of money, if other nutrients that work in synergy with them are not present. That’s one point.
Another point is this. Before it was known that grapes contain resveratrol, the nutrient was found in a medicinal plant, at a much higher concentration, which was used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. That medicinal plant is known as Japanese knotweed. Today’s supplements are derived from Japanese knotweed, not grape skins.
So, even though many of the news reports focused on the health benefits of red wine, this is actually another example of science proving the medicinal value of ancient remedies. The health benefits of turmeric, ginger, bilberry, green tea, pine bark, black cumin, alfalfa, myrrh and many other plants have now been proven, scientifically.
That grapes contain resveratrol should not come as a real surprise. As plants evolved over time, they developed unique defense systems. The grapevines that have the highest resveratrol content are older ones that have been exposed to viruses and other diseases.
Plant defenses are beneficial to human health, not only because they fight off pathogens like viruses, but also because they have antioxidant, anti inflammatory and other beneficial effects. Antioxidants help prevent free radical damage, a cause of cellular aging, contributes to heart disease and the development of cancer.
Natural anti inflammatories help prevent systematic inflammation, which also plays a role in cellular aging, contributes to heart disease and cancer. Since grapes contain resveratrol, eat up. But, if you want the health benefits that have been so widely promoted, look for a supplement that provides about 50mg per day.
Author Resource:
Valerie Rosenbaum has spent several years researching anti aging natural supplements and skincare products. As a result of that effort she has found the best natural anti aging supplement available on the market today. Learn more at her website http://www.NaturalBalanceSupplements.com
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