Resveratrol Resveratrol is a type of polyphenol (PP) produced naturally in a variety of plants, such as grapes, Japanese knotweed, blueberries, peanuts and other such plant sources. Resveratrol, a substance found in red wine, gained publicity during the 1990's after a study found that people living in France had a lower rate of coronary heart disease compared to people living in the United States, despite the fact that French diets were higher in saturated fats. The study which, called the "French Paradox", concluded that a higher consumption of red wine played a role when it comes to lowering the likelihood of coronary heart disease. Resveratrol boasts a long list of benefits, including cardiovascular health benefits, anti-inflammatory benefits, joint disease prevention, lower blood sugar counts, the possibility of preventing and eliminating certain types of cancer, and improved athletic endurance. Research by the Harvard Medical School has found that trans-resveratrol increases the production of a protein called SIRT1, which may increase human lifespan. By increasing blood flow, resveratrol may protect not only the heart and arteries, but also the brain. Recent studies in the United Kingdom suggests that resveratrol may help prevent or reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. [Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition]. A study by the University of South Florida suggests that resveratrol may not only prevent, but might even reverse the dangerous buildup of fat in the liver caused by alcohol abuse. [Source: USF]. Pure resveratrol refers to a product that contains no other substances, other than trans-resveratrol, the beneficial substance in resveratrol. Pure resveratrol is white and has almost no odor or taste compared to low purity products which are darker in color and have a distinctive odor and taste. Various studies including by both the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Harvard University in Boston have found that a calorie restriction diet (CR) improves health and slows the aging process in animals and humans by limiting dietary intake.   Previous research has shown that calorie restriction and exercise combined may increase maximum lifespan and protect against many chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer. According to a Harvard University study, resveratrol has similar effects to a calorie restriction diet (CR) and may be a substituted to supplement a low calorie diet and exercise regimen. In other words, an obese person on a resveratrol regimen may be considered a "healthy obese" person. [Source: Harvard University Gazette/ Harvard medical school]. One way to improve athletic endurance is through exercise. According to Johan Auwerx, from the Institute of Genetics Molecular and Cell Biology in Illkirch, France, "Resveratrol boosts muscle endurance by increasing the energy-producing components within muscle cells". Auwerx says that "high-doses of trans-resveratrol needed to trigger the pathway that gives cells more mitochondria. At very low doses you don't activate the cell machinery to burn energy," he explains, banishing the idea that "One glass of wine might improve athletic prowess". The effects of resveratrol are so pronounced that endurance athletes may one day take it as a performance enhancer. [Source igbmc]. Resveratrol improves athletic performance, however, it also benefits any individual by making any physical activity become a much easier task. For example: individuals that have trouble walking up one or two flights of stairs are able to do so with much less effort when they take resveratrol. RR has evaluated several forms of resveratrol, eventually selecting the supplier of most of the university studies as our source. The trans-resveratrol that our practitioners offer is 99+% pure and is available as a powder. They also offer advanced dosing protocols that provide enhanced absorption. Please see our Products page to purchase 99+% pure trans-resveratrol. © Resonance Research Foundation, Inc. 1991-2013