Monday, March 16, 2009

Resveratrol Review

When we think of foods like grapes, some of us would probably never imagine that they have an immune system just as we do. Yet grapes contain the phytoalexin known as reseveratrol which acts as a defense system when threatened by certain diseases.

The phytoalexin is found in the vines, stalks, roots, and seeds, but the greatest concentration is in the skin of this super fruit. However, not all grapes are created equal. As it turns out, red grapes are higher in phytoalexin than any other grape, making it a popular choice for beverages like red wine which contains a significiate amount of the disease fighting nutrient.

And in recent laboratory studies, it has been shown to help fight coronary heart disease and liver disease as well as help lower blood sugar, help lower cholesterol and help fight obesity. Yet it’s also rich in antioxidants which means it could help slow down the aging process.

But as much as the phytoalexin sounds like a dream come true, many of us find that drinking red wine to obtain the antioxidant-rich nutrient is a bit much. As a matter of fact it would take as much as 35 bottles of wine a day to even benefit from the stuff!

So to make things a little easier to swallow researchers suggest that red grapes alone may be just as beneficial as wine. Consuming the grapes in whole is also a much better option since it’s suitable for children. However, there may be times when eating this super fruit as a whole food isn’t always best, so pressing the grapes into a juice could be just as beneficial.

And if consuming a juice is still a little hard to swallow every single day, you may find that a natural vitamin high in resveratrol is perfect for you and your family. There are always options, but in the end you are the one with the power to decide which is right for your family’s health. Which will you choose?