Resveratrol for Weight Loss Results – Does it Work?

Resveratrol is used for weight loss, cardiovascular health and maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. Among its many uses, it is also used as an anti-aging supplement and to modulate blood sugar.

Resveratrol is a polyphenol contained in red wine and found in up to 70 plant species, [1] including peanuts, pistachios, grapes and berries (blueberries and raspberries). Phenols help plants ward off mold or bacterial infections.

Resveratrol exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in laboratory and animal experiments, but more research is needed to understand its effect on humans. This means that more research is needed before resveratrol can be said to help individuals lose weight.

Consumer reviews of using resveratrol for weight loss are often positive, but more research is needed to validate results. Some users report an increase in energy and endurance that helps support their workout routine. [1]

Resveratrol

Anti-Oxidant Supplement

Anti-Aging

Heart Health

Energy Metabolism

How It Works:

• Anti-oxidant used to fight signs of aging
• Improves mitochondrial health & energy metabolism
• Reduces inflammation & increases blood flow

Dosage:

Between 150 - 500 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

Top Resveratrol Products* ❯

View User Ratings* ❯

Resveratrol and Weight Loss

Many supplements are claimed to support weight loss. In general, supplements may support weight loss by reducing hunger, which may help you eat fewer calories, or by increasing your metabolism to help you burn more calories.

It is important to remember that there are no supplements that will offset an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise. In the case of resveratrol, it is used to increase energy and endurance, which may help you get to the gym more frequently for workouts.

However, there is no evidence that taking resveratrol on its own will improve body mass composition or promote weight loss. In one study, 150 mg of resVida (a proprietary resveratrol extract) was used once daily for 30 days. The supplement was found to improve metabolic parameters, but did not result in fat loss.

Resveratrol is hypothesized to improve oxygen use in the body, which helps support energy production. As the body burns or processes energy more effectively, endurance and metabolism may increase.

In animal studies, mice were observed to run nearly twice as long as mice not given resveratrol. This observation led to the hypothesis that resveratrol may help reduce muscle fatigue.

Although animal and laboratory results have been promising, the effect of resveratrol on human performance and weight loss is unknown.

Resveratrol, Blood Sugar and Insulin Levels

Research shows that taking resveratrol may improve fasting blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipid parameters compared to a placebo.

There is growing research suggesting that weight gain can be inhibited through the management of blood glucose levels. By preventing blood sugar levels from getting too high, this can reduce the release of insulin into the bloodstream.

Insulin causes the body to store more fat and blocks the burning of stored fat tissue for energy. Some argue that taking resveratrol for weight loss may work to the degree that it can prevent spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels.

Resveratrol, Inflammation and Obesity

Resveratrol is being researched for its capacity to reduce the risk of developing pro-inflammatory conditions, such as type II diabetes, that are associated with obesity.

Obesity is becoming increasingly tied to chronic or low-grade inflammation (discussed below) and researchers are investigating whether resveratrol’s anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce the frequency of obesity related diseases.

Research on Resveratrol

Resveratrol was first discovered in the 1940s, but became a popular research topic in the 1990s after it was proposed as a possible answer to the “French paradox.”

The French paradox refers to the observation that the French experience less mortality from heart disease compared to other industrialized nations despite similar risk factors.

Researchers hypothesized that consistent red wine consumption may explain the discrepancy in heart disease deaths. Resveratrol was identified as one of the possible constituents of red wine that may help support heart health and ward off heart disease (on average, 4 oz of red wine contains approximately 320 mcg [micrograms] of resveratrol).

During years of scientific study, resveratrol was also observed to exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which has attracted the attention of researchers working on obesity and the diseases (or co-morbidities) associated with the condition.

Obesity and Inflammation

Researchers are investigating the use of resveratrol in the treatment of low-grade inflammation associated with obesity, but research is ongoing. In general, resveratrol’s anti-inflammatory effects in clinical trials have been less than effects observed in animal and laboratory studies. [3]

Inflammation is an important part of a healthy immune system. It is one of the immune system’s first lines of defense against injury or infection.

Acute or short-term inflammation is characterized by the release of immune system cells and increased blood flow to the affected area. The immune cells that fight off infection and the increased blood flow can help clear away damaged tissue. The affected area becomes warm, red and swollen before the inflammation eventually subsides.

Researchers have become increasingly interested in a different kind of low-grade inflammation that behaves differently than acute inflammation.

Low grade inflammation (which is sometimes referred to as meta-inflammation) has been tied to the development of a number of diseases, including type II diabetes, Alzheimer’s and some forms of cancer. [3]

In addition, obesity has been connected with an increased risk of developing these pro-inflammatory conditions.

Resveratrol Safety

The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates resveratrol as “Likely Safe” in doses of up to 250 mg a day for three months. [1] Be sure to follow the label instructions because resveratrol concentrations can vary between supplements.

Resveratrol may interact with a number of prescription and over-the-counter medications. For example, resveratrol has been observed to affect hormone receptors in laboratory trials and should not be used by individuals who are suffering from hormone-sensitive cancers.

It has also been observed to exhibit anti-clotting actions that may cause excessive bleeding in individuals taking blood thinners.

Resveratrol may also interfere with the metabolism of certain medications, including immunosuppressants, calcium channel blockers and statins.

Speak to your doctor before taking resveratrol for weight loss to reduce the risk of contraindications and side effects. In addition, consultation with a healthcare provider can help you better understand what role this supplement can play in a healthy weight-loss plan.

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