Resveratrol is a phytoalexin produced naturally by several plants when under attack by bacteria or fungi.
Phytoalexins are natural antibiotics produced to protect the plants from parasites and sun damage.
Resveratrol is found in the skin of red grapes and is a constituent of red wine.
A number of beneficial health effects, such as anti-cancer, antiviral, neuroprotective, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory effects have been linked with resveratrol.
Research has revealed the substance has anti-ageing effects in some organisms, extending the lifespan of yeast by 60%, worms and flies by 30%, and fish by about 60%.
Interest in Resveratrol sparked due to the "French Paradox" which reveals that the incidence of coronary heart disease is relatively low in southern France despite a high dietary intake of saturated fats.
Researchers at the University of Rochester studied resveratrol's effect on pancreatic cancer.
The study revealed that this natural antioxidant can help destroy pancreatic cancer cells by reaching to the cell's core energy sources called mitochondria, and then disabling its function.
The study also concludeded that when the pancreatic cancer cells were doubly assaulted and pre-treated with the antioxidant, resveratrol, and irradiated, the combination induced a type of cell death called apoptosis, an important goal of cancer therapy.
In another independent survey research led by David Sinclair and Jos Baur of the Harvard medical school and Raphael de Cabo, showed Resveratrol has benefits in protecting against diabetes.
The discovery of this supplements benefits is in its infancy, more benefits are being found every day.
It has always been known that red wine and red grapes have numerous health benefits.
Now those benefits are been extrapolated and applied further to advanced diseases and ailments.
Antioxidants may be the only viable option there is left to combat cancer, diabetes, anti aging, sun and pollution damage.