Identified as an essential nutrient, Resveratrol is found in abundance in plants of grapes, blueberries and peanuts. Research studies carried out by scientists indicate that Resveratrol has significant medicinal properties. It is known to reduce risks associated with the onset of heart diseases and cancerous outbreaks. Demographic data collected over the last three decades indicates that Resveratrol also promotes longevity, has anti-aging properties and aids weight loss. Reports on the magical properties of Resveratrol have been published in leading newspapers and health magazines.

What’s surprising about Resveratrol is that its overall content is proportionately more in processed items such as red wine in comparison to natural sources such as the grape plant, its fruits, stalks and vines. Laboratory tests indicate that the process of fermentation is the main reason for increased Resveratrol content in red wine. On that note, if you wish to include Resveratrol in your diet and derive associated benefits, you may have to give preference to red wine instead of grape juice. However, you can also go for Resveratrol food supplements that pack in other vitamins and minerals as well.

According to a few press reports accompanying the aforementioned scientific article has generated or should we say has invited a decent amount of controversy. This controversy primarily stems is well related to the dosage that was used in the experiments that were conducted over mice. The controversial issue also has its roots in the estimated human-suited dose that might just be required to have the same type of biological effects. The Life Extension Foundation happens to be the only organization that has duly taken up a product made out of grape-seed/Resveratrol already in use by a particular health-conscious person and has manifested all the favorable biological effects carried by this element.

Another thing you need to be careful about is the dosage that you require. This is necessary because scientific studies indicate that when Resveratrol is taken in higher than recommended quantities, it can easily result in side effects such as numbness, loss of appetite, anxiety, stomach upsets, and increase in arthritic pain. How much dosage you require will depend specifically on health benefits you are targeting. If you plan to use Resveratrol food supplements for general well being, then a dose of 20-50 mg per day will be sufficient for your needs.

This particular gene-expression information that was thus collected was simply compared to the info that was got from a group of animals which was subjected to a particular caloric restriction. A favorable pattern of this gene expression was seen to exist between the mice fed with grape extract and between the mice that were restricted by calorie.