Ingredient guide
Resveratrol is a plant compound found in grapes and red wine, famous for longevity claims from animal studies. In people, meta-analyses show small, inconsistent effects on metabolic markers, and the dramatic lifespan claims have not held up.
Mixed evidenceResveratrol is a plant compound made by grapes, berries, and peanuts as a defence against stress. It is the molecule behind the famous idea that red wine might be good for the heart. As a supplement it is usually extracted from Japanese knotweed, a far richer source than wine, which contains only tiny amounts.
Resveratrol acts as an antioxidant and, in laboratory studies, switches on cell pathways linked with energy metabolism and stress resistance, including a group of proteins called sirtuins. These mechanisms fuelled excitement that resveratrol might mimic some effects of calorie restriction. The leap from cells and animals to people is where the story gets complicated.
In people, the results are mixed and modest. Meta-analyses report small improvements in some markers, such as insulin resistance, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, with the clearest signals in people with metabolic conditions. Other trials find little or no effect, and the studies disagree on dose and outcomes.
The headline longevity claims, based on striking animal experiments, have simply not been demonstrated in humans. Poor absorption adds to the uncertainty. We grade the evidence as mixed. Resveratrol may nudge some metabolic markers a little, but it is far from the anti-ageing breakthrough the early hype suggested.
Trials use anything from 150 mg to over 1,000 mg per day, with no agreed dose and poor absorption muddying the picture. Keep expectations realistic and treat longevity claims with caution. Because it can thin the blood slightly and acts on estrogen pathways, check with a healthcare provider first if you take blood thinners or have a hormone-sensitive condition.
Human trials use a very wide range, from around 150 mg to over 1,000 mg per day, with no agreed effective dose. Absorption is poor, which complicates dosing. Higher doses can cause stomach upset. Ask your healthcare provider before regular use, especially if you take blood-thinning medicine.
The longevity claims come from animal studies and have not been shown in people. In humans, the effects are limited to small changes in some metabolic markers.
No. Wine contains only tiny amounts. Supplements use far more concentrated sources, though even then absorption is poor.
Meta-analyses show small, inconsistent improvements in markers like insulin resistance and cholesterol, mainly in people with metabolic conditions.
Short-term use is generally well tolerated, though high doses can upset the stomach. It may thin the blood, so check with a provider if you take blood thinners.
