The “Fountain of Youth” Found in Red Grapes
What is this longevity secret inside of the grapes?
A chemical compound called Resveratrol. But before you can fully understand the effect of Resveratrol, you need to fully understand the dangers of what are called “free radicals”.
What are free radicals?
In a nutshell, free radicals occur when there are weak bonds between molecules in your body. Once formed, free radicals are very unstable and react quickly with other compounds, trying to make connections with other molecules, sometimes “attacking” and “stealing” from other molecules. Once a molecule is “attacked”, it can become a free radical itself. This begins a dangerous chain reaction. Once the process is started, it has a snowball-effect finally resulting in the potential disruption of the cell itself.
Some free radicals arise naturally during metabolism, and other body functions. Sometimes the body’s immune system’s cells purposefully create them to neutralize viruses and bacteria. However, environmental factors such as pollution, toxins, radiation, cigarette smoke, and herbicides can also spawn free radicals in excess.
Antioxidants to the Rescue
This is where antioxidants come in (like Resveratrol). The body is designed to handle free radicals, IF the body has a healthy supply of antioxidants. Antioxidants neutralize the free radicals, keeping them from “stealing” from other molecules. This helps prevent cell and tissue damage that could lead to disease. But if the body is low in antioxidants the free-radical production becomes excessive causing damage. Also, free radical damage increases with age.
For some time vitamins C and E have been known to have antioxidant properties, protecting the body from free radicals. Recently, something called Resveratrol has been added to this list. Resveratrol is a compound found in the skin and seeds of grapes.
For years researchers have been mystified by how French people can smoke cigarettes but still have low rates of cancer and heart disease. They called it the “French Paradox.” Because of this, Harvard researchers Dr. Christoph Westphal and David Sinclair conducted genetic research to investigate the French Paradox.
For years scientists have known that drinking red wine had health benefits but they couldn’t put their finger on the reason. Now they know that it’s the Resveratrol in red wine that activates cells into behaving more youth-like. Resveratrol is produced naturally by several plants to protect themselves from pathogens and bacteria. That might explain it’s protective capabilities within the human body. It is found in the skin of red grapes and is a constituent of red wine. Resveratrol is quickly becoming a very popular supplement, especially in the middle-aged and elderly, simply because it has been called the “fountain of youth” supplement. Although it is found in red wine it isn’t necessarily recommended that you drink more red wine. Mainly because you would have to drink a lot of red wine to get the full therapeutic impact of resveratrol. By that time the alcohol content would be harming your health.
For a Therapeutic dose it’s recommended to get a concentrated supplement of Resveratrol. Check out the Sage Nutrition Resveratrol Supplement.
In addition to protecting your body from age and disease, Resveratrol has also shown the following benefits,
- Heart Health
- Prevention of Insulin Resistance (which speeds up the aging process)
- Prevention of inflammation
- Improved Brain Health and blood flow
- Protection from Stroke Brain Damage
Resources
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (2009, August 3). Scientists Uncork Potential Secret Of Red Wine’s Health Benefits
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions (2010, April 21). How red wine may shield brain from stroke damage: Researchers discover pathway in mice for resveratrol’s apparent protective effect.
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Can You Do Without Supplements?
Why Supplement?
Have you eaten 5-7 servings of fruits and vegetables today? Even if you have there’s a good chance you didn’t get the nutrients you need from those fruits and vegetables.
In fact, The U.S. Department of Agriculture says that it takes seven cups of today’s spinach to equal the nutrition that a single cup provided in 1960!
“I can do without them, so do I really need to take them?” I have heard this argument more than a dozen times before.
The problem with most people is that they base their health on how they feel. Just because you feel healthy and perfectly fit now, does not mean you do not need supplements.
You invest in your future financially, why wouldn’t you invest in your future health?
