When to take Resveratrol | PlanYourVitamins.com

What is resveratrol good for?

Short answer: Resveratrol has potential benefits for antioxidants, inflammation, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, diabetes, brain health, joint health and cancer prevention.

Resveratrol is a type of polyphenol, and polyphenols are a group of very interesting chemicals that plants can create in order to protect themselves from attack, drought and disease. They can be found in a wide array of fruits and vegetables, with resveratrol in particular being found mostly in the skin and seeds of berries and grapes.

This also means that it can be found in wine in significant amounts, as the fermentation process includes the grape's skin and seeds, and this is one of the main reasons why moderate amounts of wine are considered to be beneficial for our health.

Anti-inflammatory properties

Resveratrol demonstrates significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties, which make it very valuable for treating health conditions that are driven by both inflammation and infection.

Benefits on blood pressure levels

One such example is high blood pressure, specifically systolic blood pressure, which is the pressure applied to artery walls during each heartbeat, and is represented in blood pressure readings by the upper number.

As arteries lose their flexibility with age, their ability to adapt to the flow of blood decreases, increasing the blood pressure factor. It is thought that resveratrol promotes the production of a substance called nitric oxide, which contributes towards blood vessel relaxation, which in turn lowers blood pressure.

Benefits on cholesterol levels

Another cardiovascular benefit of resveratrol is regarding cholesterol. Both human and animal studies found that by supplementing resveratrol, participants were able to significantly lower their levels of LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, while boosting their levels of HDL or "good" cholesterol.

It is thought that this is achieved by resveratrol's ability to inhibit an enzyme that is responsible for the production of cholesterol.

Benefits for joint health

Another area of research where resveratrol's benefits are being studied is joint health, or more specifically, arthritis. One of the main symptoms of arthritis is the degradation of joint cartilage, along with the resulting inflammation, pain and reduced joint mobility.

It is thought that supplemental doses of resveratrol could help protect joint cartilage from degradation, as well as reducing overall inflammation, with several animal studies offering very promising results.

Resveratrol for cancer prevention

Resveratrol is also showing promising results in terms of cancer prevention, and has proven itself capable of combatting existing cancer cells in both animal and in vitro studies.

Its effects include the ability to prevent cancer cells from spreading, as well as the ability to change the gene expression in cancer cells in order to prevent them from growing.

Other health benefits

Some of the benefits of resveratrol that have been studied include reducing age-related cognitive decline, reducing the risk of diabetes and reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

When should I take resveratrol?

Short answer: Resveratrol is best taken with breakfast, or with the first meal of the day, preferably including fatty foods (fish, meat, eggs, dairy, avocado, olive oil, nuts, seeds).

Resveratrol is a fat-soluble compound, which means that it dissolves in fat that is then stored by your body. This means that taking it with a meal that includes the presence of healthy dietary fats can significantly boost how much resveratrol your body absorbs.

Some studies also suggest that taking resveratrol in the morning can maximize its benefits, so taking this supplement together with breakfast seems to be the ideal time of day.

What does resveratrol combine well with?

Short answer: Resveratrol has been shown to work well together with astaxanthin, beta-carotene, beta-glucan, curcumin, grape seed extract, piperine, quercetin, vitamin C and black pepper.

Resveratrol with grape seed extract, for absorption and antioxidant properties

Several studies indicate that grape seed extract greatly increases the bioavailability of resveratrol, but not only that, they are both rich in antioxidants, and have proven to be potent protective agents against colon cancer when used in combination.

Resveratrol with beta-glucan and vitamin C, for cancer prevention

Another study looked at the potential anticancer properties of a combination of beta-glucan, resveratrol, and vitamin C. It was found that this combination was significantly more effective at reducing the growth and spread of cancer cells, compared to when they were taken individually.

Resveratrol with quercetin, for antioxidant effects

Research also indicates that when resveratrol is combined with quercetin, another polyphenol, it can also have additive effects in terms of antioxidative properties, with greater results than when they are taken separately.

Resveratrol with quercetin and curcumin, for cancer prevention

Similarly, resveratrol taken together with quercetin and also curcumin has demonstrated significant antitumor effects.

Resveratrol with astaxanthin and beta-carotene, for muscle health

Furthermore, a combination of resveratrol, astaxanthin and beta-carotene was found to increase protein synthesis in mice that had muscle hypertrophy, showing another potential synergistic combination involving resveratrol.

Resveratrol with piperine, for increased absorption

Piperine, the active ingredient in black pepper, is known to perform miracles when it comes to boosting absorption of certain compounds, and resveratrol is one such compound. In fact, research shows that when in the presence of piperine, resveratrol absorption is increased over 1,500%.

With black pepper

As mentioned above, piperine, the compound in black pepper responsible for its distinct taste, is able to boost the absorption of resveratrol significantly. If lieu of a piperine supplement to take with your resveratrol, you can always add black pepper to your meal instead, although black pepper's piperine content is only around 10% at most. Still, it will be better than nothing.

What should I avoid taking resveratrol with?

Short answer: Avoid taking resveratrol supplements at the same time as blood thinners.

Avoid with blood-thinning medication

Resveratrol could potentially have a blood-thinning effect, so it is advisable to avoid taking it in combination with any blood thinners or anticoagulants, as this could potentially cause bleeding or bruising.

What are natural sources of resveratrol?

If you are interested in achieving your daily resveratrol intake through your diet, rich sources of resveratrol include:

Red wine
Black grapes
Blueberries
Raspberries
Chocolate
Pistachios
Peanut butter

Resveratrol data sources & further reading

Last updated by Asklepios on 30th January, 2025