Not all Resveratrol supplements are the same and there can be big differences in quality. Thankfully, there are only a handful of important things to be aware of when choosing a Resveratrol supplement.

In Jharkhand, there is no accounting of the mental health effects of being marked a ‘witch’ Nmn Resveratrol Capsules

Lack of access to healthcare is a major factor that leads to the branding of women as ‘witches’

More than the lack of education and health services, it is the politics of dispossessing a woman that keeps the belief in the ‘witch’ alive

In a candid interview with Abhik Bhattacharya and Md. Asghar Khan, Padma Shri awardee Chutni Mahato talks about her travails after she was branded a witch and became a saviour to 140 victims of witch hunting in Jharkhand

Recounting the horrors Geeta Devi, an older woman, had to undergo at the hands of fellow villagers, who not only lynched her but also banished her from the village, Jyoti Kumari and Pallavi Pratibha tell us how women could be branded a witch for their facial features

Resveratrol is best-known for its link to red wine and potentially being beneficial for cardiovascular health. 

Since then, the attention has shifted to the anti-aging field of science because recent studies have shown it can increase the lifespan of several organisms. 

As a result, the popularity of resveratrol supplements is booming and with so many products on the market, it can be hard to know which one is best. 

The difficulty is knowing what to look for on the labels to identify the best Resveratrol supplements. Next we’ll quickly go over the factors that differentiate the average from the top resveratrol supplements. 

Not all Resveratrol supplements are the same and there can be big differences in quality.  Thankfully, there are only a handful of important things to be aware of when choosing a Resveratrol supplement:

There are 3 purities on the market: 1- Organic root extract (unkown purity) 2 - 50% standardized 3- 98% standardized 

Resveratrol is normally sourced from Japanese knotweed (polygonum cuspidatum). That’s because it naturally contains the most resveratrol. Organic root means that it’s just crushed and put into capsules. Therefore, the actual purity is unknown. Depending on the quality of growth during that season, it could be very low or very high. Whereas the standardized extracts are purified to contain an exact amount of Resveraol. 

There is no specific “recommended dose” For resveratrol. Researchers often use a dose 500mg – 1000mg (98% purity) and the risk of side effects is higher above this level. More isnt necessarily better! 

This is usually the most challenging factor to determine when comparing Resveratrol supplements. Does it contain fillers, artificial flow agents, and preservatives?  Is the supplement 3rd party tested to ensure the correct purity and dose, as well as checking it’s free from contaminants?

With this in mind, here are the best Resveratrol supplements on the market right now

Most products on the market mix Resveratrol with other ingredients. 

Products that are focused on longevity will combine Resveratrol with more powerful anti-aging ingredients such as NMN and NR. 

Other brands will combine Resveratrol with polyphenols to provide a product that’s focused on providing high levels of antioxidants. 

Dose: 500mg (2 capsule serving size)

This supplement contains 500mg of 98% purity Resveratrol alongside 500mg of 98% purity NMN (another popular longevity ingredient). All ingredients are natural with no magnesium stearate or silicon dioxide. On top of this, they include Bioperine which is known as a “bioavailability enhancer”. Some studies have shown it increases the absorption of Resveratrol by 13x. 

CLICK to buy on Amazon or from their website now. 

Dose: 800mg 2 capsule serving size (equivalent to 400mg of 98% Resveratrol)

On the front label, it states Resveratrol 1600mg. However, on closer inspection of the supplement facts table, it clarifies that 800mg is from Resveratrol and the rest of the dose is made up of other antioxidants including green tea, grape seed, and açai extract. The Resveratrol is 50% purity, therefore the dose is equivalent to around 400mg of 98% purity Resveratrol.

CLICK to on Amazon now.

Dose: 500mg (3 capsule serving size)

Toniiq produces high-quality supplements and doesn’t cut corners on ingredient purity. On top of Resveratrol, they also include NMN and betaine anhydrous for added bang for your buck. To get the 500mg dose of Resveratrol, you’ll need to take 3 capsules. 

CLICK to buy on Amazon or from their website now.

Dose: 605mg 2 capsule serving size (equivalent to 300mg of 98% purity Resveratrol)

Purely beneficials supplement is one of the best sellers on Amazon. On the front label, it states Resveratrol 1450. But a closer look at the label shows that the Resveratrol dose is 605mg at 50% purity. This is roughly the same as a 300mg dose of 98% purity Resveratrol. They also include a blend of other extracts including pomegranate, blueberry, and acai extract. However, this is in a proprietary blend meaning the exact doses aren’t listed.

Order on Amazon or from their website now.

Dose: 500mg 2 capsule serving size (equivalent to 250mg of 98% purity Resveratrol)

Double wood provides a great value Resveratrol supplement with 500mg of Resveratrol at 50% purity. They have a clear label stating that because of the 50% purity, Resveratrol makes up 250mg of this dose. As such, it’s one of the cheaper products on the market because the dose is lower than others. 

Order on Amazon or from their website now.

We’ve already touched on some reasons why not all Resveratrol supplements are the same. There can be a huge difference in quality and it can be hard to navigate through all the marketing jargon. 

But what does ‘quality’ actually mean?

Here are the factors that differentiate low vs high quality resveratrol supplements. 

Most people just look at the dose. High dose surely means better right? 

Well, if the purity is low, then the ‘REAL’ dose is not what’s on the packaging. 

To explain this further, Resveratrol comes in 3 main purities. Organic root extract, 50% and 98%. 

Organic root extract you won’t know the dose. It can be as little as close to zero to over 90%. So it’s hard to compare that’s why we haven’t included any organic root extracts in our list of best resveratrol supplements. 

But to keep things simple, 1000mg of 50% Resveratrol is essentially the same as 500mg of 98% Resveratrol. So the purity is critical when it comes to deciding which supplement to invest in. 

A bigger dose doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better. As with all herbal extracts, they contain active ingredients that can interact with our cells and bodily functions. 

Remember that too much of anything is bad for you. The same goes for Resveratrol supplements. 

The most commonly researched dose of Resveratrol is the 500mg – 1000mg daily dose. Side effects such as abnormal liver enzymes and abdominal discomfort are more common in doses over 1000mg.(1)

The most commonly used flow/stabilizing agents were magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide. But there are plant-based alternatives. 

They are required during the manufacturing process to prevent the ingredients clumping together and the machines breaking down. 

For the vast majority of people, these ingredients cause no problems as they are inactive excipients. However, some people may have sensitives to magnesium stearate. 

Resveratrol supplements are made all over the world. And some countries may not have stringent manufacturing practices. 

For example, manufacturers in the US need to adhere to FDA regulations. Also, most reputable manufacturers are GMP (Good manufacturing practice) certified which means they require periodic inspection to check they are following safety protocols. 

Aside from the manufacturer certifications, the best Resveratrol supplement brands will send their finished product for 3rd party testing. 

This means the final product is sent to an independent lab to be checked for dose, purity and whether there are any contaminants such as bacteria or heavy metals. 

Resveratrol isn’t the only good antioxidant and anti-aging ingredient out there. That’s why you’ll notice that most of the products on the market add other supporting ingredients alongside it. 

Ultimately, it depends on your goals. If you are looking for a general antioxidant supplement, then products that contain plant polyphenols like green tea, Acai, and grape seed extract may be the right choice for you.

On the other hand, if you’re interested in a supplement that’s more targeted to anti-aging benefits, then the brands that combine Resveratrol with NMN or NR may be best for you. 

Resveratrol is fat soluble which means it’s poorly absorbed from our gut into the bloodstream when taken on an empty stomach.

That’s why it’s really important to take your Resveratrol supplement with a source of fat. 

Thankfully, that’s not hard to do. Foods such as yogurt, butter, and milk are fat-rich. If you prefer a vegan source, something like olive oil or avocado are easy options to have in your meal. 

Depending on your goals, the time of day you take Resveratrol could also impact its efficacy. 

If you’re interested in longevity science, you may be taking Resveratrol for its reported NAD-boosting benefits. In this case, taking Resveratrol in the morning may be the best time. That’s because it’s at this time of day when our cells are most active in producing NAD. 

Furthermore, studies have shown that Resveratrol bioavailability (how well it’s absorbed), is much better in the mornings.(2)

In your search for a top Resveratrol supplement, you will probably come across some confusing labels. 

Organic, standardized, and pure Resveratrol. What does it all really mean? 

To keep things simple, we’ll explain by using Polygonum cuspidatum (Japanese knotweed) as the Resveratrol source because this is, by far, the most widely used on the market.

These are easy to spot because they will have a percentage purity of Resveratrol written on the label. In other words, the Polygonum cuspidatum (Japanese knotweed) extract has been purified to guarantee a specific purity of Resveratrol.

And you’ve probably guessed by now, there are 2 main purities available on the market. 50% and 98%. The 98% level is the purest form of Resveratrol available. 

Whole extract (sometimes called “organic” Resveratrol):

If you don’t see a percentage of Resveratrol on the label, the chances are that the supplement contains a whole plant extract. Essentially, it means that the plant is dried, crushed, and packed into pills without any purification.

This means that the Resveratrol amount will be unknown. It will certainly contain Resveratrol, but depending on the conditions the plant was growing in like the soil quality and climate, the actual percentage can vary greatly.

That’s why the dose on the label of a whole plant extract can be a little misleading. It’s not to say that these supplements are better or worse. It’s just that you won’t know the exact Resveratrol purity.

If you’ve purchased Resveratrol in the past, you may have noticed that they can come in all different shades of brown. On the other end of the spectrum, there are also Resveratrol pills that are white (or slightly off-white). 

So what’s the deal with this? 

Well, it comes back to the source of Resveratrol and its purity. Low-purity Resveratrol, especially if the source is from grapes, will often look brown. 

Ultra-pure 98% Resveratrol from Japanese knotweed should be white or very slightly off-white. 

David Sinclair is arguably one of the best-known scientists in the longevity field of science. Although there are several other eminent scientists as well, David Sinclair became especially well-known after the release of his book “Lifespan”. Following this, he’s been on many different talk shows and podcasts to spread his knowledge on the topic.

He often talks about taking daily Resveratrol at a dose of 1000mg (98% purity). This is on the higher end of the dose range that most supplements on the market contain. He doesn’t endorse any specific Resveratrol brands, but he does look for a high-purity source.

As a natural compound, Resveratrol’s use has been widely researched in preclinical studies. That means scientists have carried out research in small-scale studies, rather than in large drug trials.

That’s an important thing to mention before going into the benefits of Resveratrol.  Although the studies mentioned below are promising, it does not mean the benefits are regarded as scientific fact. In other words, research is still ongoing to prove the benefits of Resveratrol.

With that said, Resveratrol has been shown to have several active biological properties. And we’re going to go through them individually below.

People with diabetes have elevated levels of sugar in their blood. Over time, the sugar reacts with red blood cells in a process known as ‘glycation’. The glycated cells are stiff and inflammatory which damages blood vessels. To put it simply, this process is one of the primary reasons why uncontrolled diabetes increases the risk of all cardiovascular-related illnesses.

Resveratrol has been shown in several studies to have ‘anti-glycation’ properties. In other words, it can help reduce the amount of glycated cells.(3)

Now, it doesn’t mean that Resveratrol is a cure for diabetes! but it may have a role as a natural aid in the future if larger studies produce good results.

Resveratrol is a polyphenol that is a powerful antioxidant. But what does oxidation mean and how do antioxidants work?

Oxidation is happening in all of us, all the time. It’s a natural process whereby waste products are formed from, basically, just being alive. Like a car that pumps out fumes from an exhaust pipe while it is on, our cells also produce toxic by-products as ‘waste’ from metabolism. These waste products are called ‘free radicals’. Free radicals are highly charged particles that react with cells causing damage if left unchecked.

Thankfully, that’s where Antioxidants like Resveratrol come into play. They work by neutralizing free radicals to stop damage. Resveratrol is not the only antioxidant around, there are tons of them. That’s why you’ll notice that the best Resveratrol supplements combine it with other antioxidants for all-round support.(4)

You may come across articles that report Resveratrol has anti-cancer properties. These phrases are thrown around too lightly and they can be misleading. So before we start this segment, it’s important to mention that Resveratrol has only been studied in test tubes or small human studies. It’s certainly not a proven science as yet.

With that clarified, there are a handful of studies that have shown that Resveratrol may inhibit certain cell proliferation proteins. But there are also several studies that have shown Resveratrol had no or limited benefit with potential side effects.(5)

One of the most common uses of Resveratrol is for its potential anti-aging properties at a cellular level (it’s not going to magically make you look 10 years younger that is!). There are lots of studies that have looked at Resveratrol in animals and shown it upregulates SIRT1 activities.

SIRT1 is a Sirtuin which is a family of proteins that repair and protect our cells DNA. Their activity increases during periods of ‘stress’ on the body such as when fasting or during high-intensity exercise (not psychological stress). Because Resveratrol seems to indirectly increase the activity of sirtuins by over 10x, it’s regarded as a promising candidate for a natural longevity supplement.(6)

However, it’s important to emphasize that the studies are largely performed in animals or insects and some studies report it makes no difference. Nevertheless, it’s an ongoing area of research that has high hopes.

Resveratrol is a polyphenol that is abundant in grape skin and seeds. Polyphenols are types of antioxidants that protect cells from oxidative damage.

Resveratrol gained lots of interest in relation to red wine because grapes are a decent source. In reality, Resveratrol has been detected in over 70 plant species and seeds.

Research into Resveratrol has found that it could reduce inflammation, blood pressure, and even cellular aging (more on this in the next section).

However, it’s important to be careful with sweeping medical claims as dietary supplements like Resveratrol are studied in small experiments. Whilst the research is promising, dietary supplements should not replace a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Can I get enough Resveratrol from drinking red wine? 

The quick answer to this question is no, not even close.

To put it into perspective, a liter of red wine contains around 15mg of Resveratrol. Whereas most supplements contain around 300-500mg of Resveratrol in one dose. 

So you’d need to drink around 30 liters of red wine to get the same amount from a single dose of a good Resveratrol supplement. Clearly, that’s not realistic! 

On top of this, any benefit from Resveratrol will be counteracted by the negative effects of alcohol. In the past, it used to be said that drinking a glass of wine a day can be good for health as it was said to lower blood pressure and provided polyphenols like Resveratrol which have positive health effects.

However, you may be surprised to hear that in the last few years, this recommendation has been debunked. More recent studies have proven that any amount of regular alcohol consumption, even if it’s a single glass, increases the overall risk of mortality from underlying health conditions.(7)

In summary, drinking red wine to provide your source of Resveratrol is probably not the best option. 

Why do most supplements contain trans-Resveratrol?

Resveratrol comes in cis and trans form and this refers to its chemical structure.

Pretty much every product on the market uses trans Resveratrol. That’s because it’s the one used in research studies and is thought to be the most active form. 

In essence, it’s just chemistry terminology used to give a more detailed description of the molecular structure. But it’s not necessarily anything you’d need to think about when you’re deciding which Resveratrol supplement is best for you. 

Why do most supplements use Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) as the source of Resveratrol? 

We mentioned earlier that most supplements use Polygonum cuspidatum (Japanese knotweed) as the source of Resveratrol. That’s because it’s known to naturally contain one of the highest concentrations of Resveratrol in the wild.  

In the past, it used to be sourced from grapes, hence why Resveratrol is most commonly associated with red wine. However, grapes only contain a fraction of the Resveratrol found in Japanese knotweed. 

The purity of Resveratrol in Japanese knotweed can go up to 98%, whereas grapes may only contain 5-10% Resveratrol. 

Do Resveratrol supplements really work?

It all depends on what is meant by “do they work?”. Like most dietary supplements, it can be hard to assess whether Resveratrol is working because its effects are on a cellular level.

That means that you can’t really see or measure the benefits easily. It often requires advanced medical tests to investigate this. With that said, some people report feeling more energized and youthful. But this could easily be a placebo effect.

How to take Resveratrol if you are Intermittent fasting

Intermittent fasting is all the rage nowadays as it’s been researched extensively and shown to have a positive impact on overall health and longevity. 

Also known as ‘caloric restriction’, reducing the number of calories we consume in a day is proving to be a fast-growing field of research.(8)

On a similar note, Resveratrol is known to up-regulate similar pathways to those when fasting. In other words, Resveratrol is thought to ‘mimic’ the cellular experience of fasting and provide the benefits without having to actually endure fasting. That’s why it’s a popular supplement in the anti-aging supplement niche. 

This can cause a bit of a problem for those who intermittently fast and want to take Resveratrol. More specifically, it can be an issue for people who time their fasting windows through the morning. Furthermore, as we explained earlier, Resveratrol is best absorbed when there is fat around. So taking it on an empty stomach is not ideal. 

One way around this issue is to take Resveratrol with a spoonful of olive oil or yogurt. While it’s not a perfect solution, it’s not likely to have a big impact on your fast because the capsule and small amount of fat are not going to contain too many calories. 

If you’re thinking about a Benjamin Button type reversal of aging, then no, unfortunately not. But it’s true that Resveratrol was one of the first molecules discovered to have an impact on the pathways that impact aging.

In fact, it was first identified as a potential life-extending molecule in the early 2000s by a group of scientists which included David Sinclair, the well-known longevity expert. The group he was part of saw a remarkable impact on yeast cell life expectancy. This then sparked a flurry of activity over 2 decades.(9)

Eventually, it was found that Resveratrol upregulates sirtuin activity which is indirectly involved in NAD production. NAD is the universal energy currency all living cells in the world use. Since then, other supplements such as NMN have been found to also increase NAD levels and that’s why the best Resveratrol supplements combine the two.

What is the most absorbable form of Resveratrol?

We explained earlier that Resveratrol is poorly absorbed from the gut. Its absorption is massively improved if taken with fat (because it’s fat-soluble).

Manufacturers are trying innovative ways of improving the absorption of Resveratrol to increase its bioavailability. Liquid or liposomal Resveratrol are a couple of examples of new delivery methods. At the time of writing, there are no good studies to show that these forms are better than the standard pill or powder forms. But it’s something to keep an eye on in the future as more studies come out.

Another way to increase the absorption of Resveratrol is to consider taking it with a bioavailability enhancer. One such example is Piperine which is extracted from black pepper extract. This has been shown in a few studies to increase the absorption of Resveratrol by over 10x.(10)

Are there any side effects?

First things first, any supplements we take have the potential to have side effects. Especially if it’s a supplement you haven’t tried before so you won’t know if you have a pre-existing intolerance or allergy. 

Secondly, if you are taking any medication or have any underlying medical conditions, there is a chance ingredients could interact. So before starting a new supplement, always speak to your physician. 

In terms of Resveratrol safety, it’s been used in studies for over 20 years now and has been readily available on the market for a similar amount of time. Studies report that dosing around 500mg is generally well-tolerated.(11)

Side effects such as gastrointestinal upset are reported more often with doses above 1000mg.(12)

With all that said, rigorous safety tests like you’d see in drug trials are not conducted in dietary supplements. The studies mentioned above are much smaller and not comparable to proper trials. Therefore, you should approach with caution and always discuss with your doctor first. 

That brings us to the end of our look into the best Resveratrol supplements on the market. Not all products are the same and there is a great deal of variation between them. 

The main differences are with respect to quality and dosing. Ultimately, this is what impacts the pricing. 

Always remember to check the label to see what the Resveratrol purity is, and see if there are any artificial additives and whether it’s made by a reputable manufacturer with 3rd party testing.

With all that said, you can’t go wrong with any of the top Resveratrol supplements mentioned in this article.

The above is a sponsored post, the views expressed are those of the sponsor/author and do not represent the stand and views of Outlook Editorial.

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