Resveratrol may support healthy blood circulation in obese adults: Study
A daily 75 milligram dose of resveratrol was associated with a 23% improvement in flow mediated dilation (FMD), a measure of blood flow and vascular health, report scientists in the Journal of Hypertension.
In addition, the effect immediately after receiving the supplement was found to be even greater, with improvements in FMD of 35% observed, report researchers led by Prof Peter Howe at the University of South Australia.
Daily resveratrol consumption was well tolerated and has the potential to maintain healthy circulatory function in obese adults.
Heart benefits
Resveratrol, a powerful polyphenol and anti-fungal chemical, is often touted as the bioactive compound in grapes and red wine, and has particularly been associated with the so-called 'French Paradox'. The phrase, coined in 1992 by Dr Serge Renaud from Bordeaux University, describes the low incidence of heart disease and obesity among the French, despite their relatively high-fat diet and levels of wine consumption.
Other studies with only resveratrol have reported anti-cancer effects, anti-inflammatory effects, cardiovascular benefits, anti-diabetes potential, energy endurance enhancement, and protection against Alzheimer’s.
Study details
Prof Howe and his team recruited 28 obese but otherwise healthy adults (average BMI of 33.3 kg/m2) and assigned them to receive daily resveratrol supplements, (Resvida, 75mg per day) or placebo for six weeks.
Results showed that resveratrol supplementation was associated with significant improvements in FMD, while no changes were observed for BMI and blood pressure, they added.
“Daily resveratrol consumption was well tolerated and has the potential to maintain healthy circulatory function in obese adults,” they concluded.
The study’s researchers were affiliated with the Sansom Institute for Health Research, the University of South Australia, DSM Nutritional Products and the University of Newcastle (Australia).
Source: Journal of Hypertension
Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.1097/HJH.0b013e328362b9d6
“Chronic resveratrol consumption improves brachial flow-mediated dilatation in healthy obese adults”
Authors: Wong RH, Berry NM, Coates AM, Buckley JD, Bryan J, Kunz I, Howe PR.
