The skin of red grapes contain resveratrol which is a compound of trans- 3, 5, 4’-trihydroxystilbene and is a component of ko-jo-kon which is used as a medicine to cure heart liver and blood vessel diseases in human beings. Resveratrol gained scientific light only four years ago all thanks to French paradox according to which people of France are less accustomed to heart diseases in spite of having a fat rich diet.
Now a day’s resveratrol is being touted by manufacturers and the scientific researchers are examining it if it can work as an antioxidant, anti cancer agent and a phytoestrogen. While surfing the net if you comes across an advertisement as French paradox in a bottle don’t be shocked that’s nothing more but resveratrol in a bottle for your health. The red wine antioxidants are marketed in Wallingford which is known as French paradox. This article puts further light on resveratrol and its various effects and uses.
Sources of obtaining resveratrol:
It is present in plants such as eucalyptus, Lilly and spruce and in various food edibles such as peanuts and mulberries apart from its most abundant source which is used for making red wine that is vitis vinefera roots. Resveratrol’s highest contents are found in skin which varies from 60-100 micrograms per gram apart from being present in roots, seeds and stalks.
It acts as an antioxidant in plants which helps them to fight against diseases. Mainly it is used to fight against fungal infections which are common in plants growing in cooler regions and grapes are also found in cooler regions so they have a high concentration of resveratrol.
The resveratrol content in wines solely depends on the time for which the grape skin is kept for fragmentation during the production of wine. Since in the production of red wine skins are kept for longer period as compared to white wine so the concentration of resveratrol is higher in red wine than in white wine. Grape juice is not prepared by fragmentation process so as an outcome of that it does not contain significant amount of resveratrol.
Now let us discuss some of its effects on heart: Resveratrol’s cardiovascular effects are amazing. Coronary heart disease incidents can be reduced by the consumption of alcohol especially red wine as shown by various studies. Studies have also shown that it is an antioxidant as well. It can provide more protection than known antioxidants such as vitamin C and E.
Further research is being carried out to find more useful effects of resveratrol.
