Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant that protects the cells from free radical damage thereby reducing ageing. It also helps in reducing body weight apart from lessening cancer risk. Resveratrol in grapes also contain the flavanoid, quercetin which has cancer fighting properties.
Some of the most important resveratrol sources include red grapes and peanuts, which are anti oxidant in nature. The most important resveratrol sources include Vitis vinifera, muscadine grapes and labrusca. Though it occurs in various parts like vines, roots and seeds of red wine, the most abundant source is the skin of the grapes, which is used in making red wine.
The skin of red grapes contains 50-100 micrograms (µg)of resveratrol per gram . Grape juice on the other hand is not a rich source of resveratrol as it is not a fermented drink. Small contents of resveratrol are also present in other plants like eucalyptus, spruce, and lily apart from mulberries, and peanuts. An ounce of red wine on an average will have 160 µg of resveratrol while peanuts have only 73 µg of resveratrol per ounce, making wine the most important resveratrol source.
Resveratrol is naturally produced under the grape skin to counter the attack of certain molds, hence grapes grown in moist climate, which is conducive to fungal growth yields more resveratrol than those grown in dry climatic conditions. Chemically, Resveratrol is a phytoalexin, which is an antibiotic produced by the plant to fight against fungal diseases. Resveratrol sources are easily destroyed by light and air and hence wines should be stored in air tight conditions in cool and dark places to retain its resveratrol content. Wine that is kept open for long might not be a rich source naturals resveratrol so make sure that you consume the wine soon after the bottle is unsealed for best results.
Red wine has more resveratrol than white wine, which does not use grape skins in its production. Natural methods like using wine regularly might yield result only slowly; so in case you wish to have quick results you can use resveratrol pill which has a high content of resveratrol. These supplements play an important role in fighting obesity by reducing the fat cells apart from being anti aging and cardiprotective.
People who consume red wine regularly like the French are known to be one of the healthiest and the most beautiful people on earth because of the rich source naturals resveratrol in grape wine.