Resveratrol
There are many additives and chemicals that do the body a lot of good. There are many claims that pop up from time to time claiming that this or that may be the end-all of all chemicals, only to find that they are a lot less than what they turn out to be. There are some that have been proven to be very beneficial, however.
It’s long been known that red wine can help the body out in a myriad of ways, especially when it comes to heart health. The active ingredient, reservatrol, is a antimicrobial substance that acts as a toxin against any foreign invaders. For many, the primary purpose of the chemical is known to be a nutritional supplement, derived mainly from the Japanese knotweed. What draws many people to resveratrol is the fact that it has done some pretty amazing things in mice. Reportedly, the substance is known to have been an anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, as well as having other assorted cardiovascular benefits.
Resveratrol and Red Wine
Resveratrol is found in high levels in red wine. This particular type of wine has long been known to be a source of antioxidants when used in moderation. The antioxidants are broken down into two classifications: flavonoids and nonflavonoids. The latter is the one that has been found in red wine, and has received a lot of attention from the medical profession, since they may prevent some fatty blockages in the body. The former, on the other hand, is found in many different foods, such as oranges, apples, onions, and other forms of alcohol. Also, the substance has been known to increase the levels of the “good” cholesterol in the body, as well as protect it from certain types of artery damage.
On many tests that have been conducted, scientists have found that the antioxidants were not the only good part about red wine. While they are not completely sure what that something is, they are also looking into the fact that the alcohol in the spirit could promote some good heart health. All of that aside, doctors and scientists are not stating that anyone should actually drink alcohol, they just cannot deny the fact that some of the ingredients in the wine can help the body.
What Resveratrol May Do
Many agree that resveratrol is a key ingredient in red wine, which may lead to the prevention of blood cell damage. Also, similar reports state that it actually may reduce the levels of “bad” cholesterol, as well as helping the body prevent the formation of blood clots. This is important in the body because the build-up could lead to one of the world’s biggest killers, heart disease. It needs to be said that doctors and scientists are not exactly sure that this is the panacea to heart disease, but they believe that this may be the active ingredieint that’s showing favorable results.
Recent research is showing that resveratrol looks promising as a way to help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and similar progressive dementias. The theory behind the research is that free radicals trigger the beginning of the disease. Since the brain is made largely from fatty acids, which are destroyed by free radicals, anything that fights free radicals like resveratrol does should help protect against dementias. It has already been proven that resveratrol helps protect against oxidative stress which is largely caused by the effects of free radicals.
Another recent discovery is that resveratrol seems to be able to act as an anti-inflammatory for spinal cord injury treatment. A Chinese study found that the resveratrol, when injected right away, inhibited certain enzymes that can change how cells respond to injury. While this discovery does need more research before confirmation, the promise shown bodes well for the future treatment of spinal cord injuries.
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