What is resveratrol, the wine molecule that is good for health

Wine is not only good but also rich in benefits. As we saw in the article in which we answered the question “are grapes bad for you?“, there are many advantages that the different grape varieties and the wines produced with them bring to human health. Among the others, there is an element that makes all this possible: let’s find out what resveratrol is and what its benefits are.

What is resveratrol?

By definition, resveratrol is a vegetal molecule naturally produced by some types of plants, including the vine, to protect themselves from bacteria or fungi. It is a non-flavonoid phenol with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties often used in food supplements and the fight against ageing.
Resveratrol is present in large quantities in wine (and in fact, it is connected with its benefits, including that which connects red wine and weight loss), in the grapes with which it is produced, but also in other foods, including berries such as raspberries, blueberries and blackberries and chocolate, especially dark chocolate. The plant that contains the greatest concentration is Japanese and is called Polygonum Cuspidatum: it is from this that the greatest amount of the molecule is extracted to be used above all in the pharmaceutical and supplement industry.

How much resveratrol is contained in wine

As seen above, resveratrol can be found in red wine. But in what quantity? And is it also present in white wine?
The natural molecule is present in all types of wine, be it red, white or rosé; we speak above all of the red wines because they are the ones that contain the greatest quantity. However, the content changes from wine to wine and there are no standard figures about it.

What benefits does it bring?

Since resveratrol is present in wines, we can safely say that consuming a few glasses during the week is actually good for health. But what are the benefits of this molecule in detail?
Resveratrol is an anti-inflammatory with antioxidant action. Due to this function, it is widely used to slow down the spread of cancer, to fight the advancement of age and to fight cholesterol and keep it at bay. Furthermore, it can help in the treatment of metabolic diseases such as obesity and type II diabetes, and to control the effects of smoking and alcohol and counteract the onset of cardiovascular diseases.

Does resveratrol have contraindications?

These are the benefits of the molecule, which is present in many supplements and is a real superstar in the world of health. Fortunately, no serious contraindications seem to exist even in the event of a big dosage. However, as always, we encourage a controlled consumption of wine and any other food to get the most out of its benefits.