Resveratrol, the darling of the anti-aging movement, was discovered after scientists led a terrific search to get to the bottom of the French people’s ability to eat a fat-filled diet and not have serious health problems. It was soon narrowed down to the wine that the French enjoy so freely at meals, and then after years of additional research, it was discovered that Resveratrol, a natural supplement found within red wine and the skin of red grapes, is the missing link that has so many health benefits.

Resveratrol Today

The power of Resveratrol is a relatively recent discovery, and the many benefits of the supplement are still being explored in research. Currently, Resveratrol is available through food or wine in the traditional means, or more directly through Resveratrol supplements.

The supplements of Resveratrol are completely natural. Grapes are not the only plants that produce Resveratrol, and the phytoalexin molecules produced by other plants are harvested to use in supplements available to those seeking a healthier, more active lifestyle. The molecules can also be produced synthetically as well making Resveratrol supplements less expensive than they might be otherwise and more readily available to those ready to take advantage of the many benefits.

Resveratrol Experiments

Many experiments have been performed to determine the extent of Resveratrol benefits. Most tests have been performed on animals to date, but successful practices with animals are now being tested on humans and hopes are high that the anti-aging and superior health benefits seen with animals will transfer to the human test cases as well.

The most important tests up to this point have involved mice, worms and fish. In mice, it was shown that Resveratrol has cancer fighting properties as well as the ability to reduce the risks of heart attack. Mice were fed a diet supplemented with additional fat, yet those mice that also had Resveratrol were not as affected by the fat in their diet as the mice that did not have a Resveratrol supplement.

In another study, both worms and fish that normally have a very short lifespan were given Resveratrol and their lifespan expanded considerably. Not only did the fish and worms live longer, they were far more active in the later part of their lives than would normally be observed in animals reaching that particular state of demise.

Resveratrol and Disease

Today studies are ongoing to better show the affect of Resveratrol on the aging process in humans, and tied closely to those studies are the research projects being led on the health benefits of Resveratrol. Specifically degenerative conditions such as Alzheimers are being studied in conjunction with Resveratrol. If Resveratrol does in fact slow the aging process, the supplement might be effective at preventing Alzheimers as well as Huntington’s disease and even many types of cancer. Some believe Resveratrol is the key to stopping the aging process completely and curing many related diseases.