Resveratrol Extract in Red Wine and Japanese Knotweed

Why do people from the Mediterranean region who drink plenty of red wine and eat fatty foods have lower risks of heart disease than North Americans? Many think the answer to the French Paradox is red wine.

Studies investigating the benefits of red wine suggested that moderate amounts of red wine (one glass a day for women and two for men) lowers the risk of heart attack for people in middle age by 30 to 50 percent. Wine lowers cholesterol and may help prevent blood clots and reduce the blood vessel damage caused by fat deposits. In addition, the alcohol content helps people that have already suffered from a heart attack or stroke.

The main ingredient in wine wine that makes it so powerful is of course the super-antioxidant, resveratrol.

While it has so far been impossible to produce a medicine that stops aging completely, resveratrol's clinical trials have shown in animal samples (namely Rhesus Monkeys and Rats), life spans can be significantly increased, up to or even more than 50 percent. Beyond this the quality of life is drastically improved.

Life expectancy all over the world is growing with developments in health science, and resveratrol looks to play a key role in the future of adding to the length of your life. More than 84,000 Americans are over 100 years old.

Red wine made with muscadine grapes contains the most resveratrol of any grape. Other types typically contain between 2 and 12.5mg of resveratrol per liter. Of the more popular grape varieties, Pinot Noir produces wines with the highest average resveratrol levels.

Because moisture and humidity foster fungal growth, and resveratrol is produced in greater quantity in response to infectious agents, the resveratrol concentration in red wine grapes is greater in northern latitudes than southern. So, wines from New York or Canada provide more resveratrol than wines produced in California, France or Italy.

Any of the following red wines are good for your heart and overall health in moderation:

• Shiraz
  
• Merlot
  
• Cabernet sauvignon
  
• Malbec
  
• Pinot noir
  
• Zinfandel
  
• Sangiovese
  
• Barbera
  

Although white wines such as Pinot blanc also contains resveratrol, the levels are much lower than red wine.

Most resveratrol supplements on the market do not use red wine extracts. Japanese Knotweed is a commercial source of resveratrol supplements since it is easier and cheaper to take extracts from. In China it is called Hu Zhang root and is a traditional Chinese medicinal treatment.

It is a close relative of He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti, Fleeceflower). This root is known to prevent premature graying of the hair and provide life essence.

Resveratrol can be extracted from red wine, japanese knotweed, grape seeds, and skins. This is why it is important to research supplements before you buy. Although it is impossible to say which are better without proper studies comparing them as a source, you may prefer to know extracts are coming from red wine or grapes when you buy a premium product. Check the label to ensure where the extracts were taken from.