Red Wine Extract Health Benefits, Uses & Side Effects [Research Review]

Red wine has been associated with certain health benefits for years, such as improved heart health, antioxidant effects and support for cognitive function.

However, the alcohol content in this drink can have adverse effects that range from unpleasant to harmful, such as liver damage. Those who do not want to drink red wine but still want the benefits it provides have the option to take red wine extract in the form of oral supplements.

Resveratrol is the active ingredient that is believed to be responsible for many of the beneficial effects of drinking red wine. Other beneficial compounds include proanthocyanidins and bioflavonoids like quercetin.

Supplements made with red wine extract typically contain these ingredients in more concentrated forms and do not have alcohol content, making them safe for most consumers to take.

The resveratrol in red wine extract has been studied for its possible health benefits on the heart, skin, cholesterol, weight loss, brain health and hair. It has also been associated with sexual health benefits for men.

Consumers who want to use these products should know more about them, including the types of effects they have and the potential side effects they might cause.

Red Wine Extract

Antioxidant Supplement

Heart Health

Longevity

Anti-Oxidant

How It Works:

• Has strong antioxidant properties
• Supports cardiovascular health
• Promotes healthy aging & cognitive function

Dosage:

Between 10 - 50 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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Health Benefits of Drinking Red Wine

Drinking red wine has purported benefits for cardiovascular health. A 2010 review published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Disease Research concluded that red wine extract has the potential to improve cardiovascular health when used as a dietary supplement.

This review found that resveratrol and other antioxidants in red wine, such as quercetin, decrease oxidative stress and reduce atherosclerotic lesions in human and animal subjects. [1]

Red wine is also rated Possibly Effective for improving cognitive function according to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. [2]

Supplements containing this extract have also been rated Possibly Effective for congestive heart failure, managing diabetes and reducing the risk of H. Pylori infections.

According to NMCD, there is insufficient evidence to determine its efficacy for anxiety, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer prevention and post-menopausal osteoporosis. More research is needed to evaluate whether it has benefits for these conditions.

It is important to note that red wine is thought to benefit cardiovascular health when taken in moderation. Drinking too much raises the risk of harmful effects associated with a high alcohol intake, such as cirrhosis.

MedlinePlus warns consumers not to begin drinking more red wine to improve cardiovascular health. One to two 4-ounce glasses of red wine per day are recommended for men, and one 4-ounce glass per day is recommended for women. [3]

Health Benefits of Red Wine Extract

Is red wine extract good for you? Red wine supplements that are alcohol-free do not have the same potentially harmful effects as consuming alcoholic beverages.

While they have many purported health benefits, the supplements require additional studies to determine their efficacy for different uses. Most studies have been done on resveratrol, which can come from other sources in addition to red wine.

Furthermore, most of the studies demonstrating beneficial effects associated with consumption of this product are based on cohort or population data. This means they establish correlation, but not necessarily causation.

More clinical studies need to be conducted to show whether use of a red wine extract supplement can directly contributed to improved cardiovascular function or lower the risk of certain diseases.

Are red wine extract supplements good for skin and hair? According to MedlinePlus, topical resveratrol might help relieve severe acne. [4]

Resveratrol has been purported to support healthy hair and skin due to its antioxidative properties, which help reduce the risk of cell damage caused by free radicals. More research is needed to assess the effectiveness of resveratrol and red wine extract for promoting healthy skin and hair.

Resveratrol has been studied for its effects on cholesterol. A 2012 study published in Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation showed that this natural flavonoid lowered the levels of LDL cholesterol in subjects with stable coronary artery disease. [5]

More research is needed to determine its efficacy for maintaining healthy cholesterol levels in those who are not at risk of heart disease.

Resveratrol found in red wine extract is thought to have potential benefits for men, such as lowering the risk of prostate cancer and the risk of heart disease.

A 2011 study in Cellular Metabolism found the resveratrol supplementation in obese men resulted in lower blood pressure and blood glucose levels. [7]

There have been a number of other benefits linked to resveratrol, quercetin and the other polyphenols found in red wine. However, many of these benefits have only been demonstrated in preliminary in vitro or animal studies.

For example, the Linus Pauling Institute states that studies on resveratrol have found that it might inhibit cancer cell growth in animal models, but its ability to have the same effects in humans is unknown. [6]

Researchers have also linked resveratrol to longer lifespan in certain species of flies, worms and killifish. However, in studies on mice these effects were not repeated. It is not clear whether this compound can enhance human lifespan or healthspan and this research is difficult to conduct.

Results of currently available studies suggests that resveratrol and red wine extract can support healthy metabolism and may mimic some of the known effects of caloric restriction (CR). However, further human studies will be required to confirm results.

Risks of Red Wine Extract

Although red wine extract does not usually have alcohol content, it is still associated with certain side effects and drug interactions. This extract is generally safe to use when taken in small or moderate amounts.

MedlinePlus states that resveratrol doses of 250 MG or less for up to 3 months have been used safely. [4]

Pregnant women and those who are nursing should not take red wine extract without talking to a doctor. They should also avoid using resveratrol supplements that are derived from red wine sources.

The health benefits should be weighed against the potential for drug interactions. Those who take anticoagulants or medications that the liver breaks down should consult a doctor before using red wine supplements.

These products have the potential to interact with these kinds of medications. They might increase the risk of bleeding when used with blood thinners or raise the risk of side effects in medications broken down in the liver.

Red wine extract supplements with resveratrol might have effects that are similar to estrogen, according to MedlinePlus. [4] Those who have uterine fibroids, endometriosis or other medical conditions that affect hormone levels should ask their doctor about the safety of using red wine extract.

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