Resveratrol

Resveratrol (trans-Resveratrol)

Evidence & Status

  • Preliminary / Experimental
  • Preliminary

At a Glance

Purified trans-resveratrol has limited short-term human metabolic research; it has not been shown to extend human lifespan.

Plain English

Resveratrol is a plant compound, but purified trans-resveratrol is not the same thing as drinking wine, eating grapes, using Japanese knotweed extracts, or taking pterostilbene. One cited human study was small and lasted only 30 days, so it cannot answer whether resveratrol prevents disease or extends lifespan. The body absorbs resveratrol but rapidly changes most of it into metabolites, leaving very little unchanged compound in circulation. Its connection with SIRT1 remains an active mechanistic question rather than a settled explanation for a longevity benefit.

Overview

This record is limited to purified trans-resveratrol and does not equate it with cis-resveratrol, pterostilbene, grape or wine consumption, Japanese knotweed extracts, or multi-ingredient supplements. In a randomized double-blind crossover study of 11 obese men, 150 mg/day resveratrol was evaluated for 30 days for short-term metabolic and mitochondrial outcomes. This small, short study does not establish disease prevention, calorie-restriction equivalence, or human longevity benefit. A human pharmacokinetic study found high absorption but very low oral bioavailability of unchanged resveratrol because of extensive metabolism. Resveratrol has been linked to SIRT1-related signaling, but direct SIRT1 activation is substrate- and assay-dependent and remains mechanistically debated. Resveratrol is marketed as a dietary-supplement ingredient, not an FDA-approved treatment represented by this record.

Research Summary

The cited human intervention was a randomized double-blind crossover study in 11 obese men using 150 mg/day for 30 days. It provides short-term metabolic and mitochondrial context only; it does not show disease prevention, calorie-restriction equivalence, or human longevity benefit. A separate human pharmacokinetic study found high absorption but very low oral bioavailability of unchanged resveratrol due to extensive metabolism. Resveratrol has been linked to SIRT1-related signaling, but direct activation claims were challenged with native substrates and remain substrate- and assay-dependent. Animal and pathway findings do not establish human lifespan extension.

Research Areas

  • Longevity
  • Sirtuin pathway
  • Cardiovascular health
  • Metabolic health
  • Antioxidant
  • Inflammation
  • Neuroprotection

Safety & Risks

Serious Risks

  • The cited human metabolic study was small and short-term; it does not establish disease prevention or human longevity benefit
  • High absorption does not establish high systemic exposure to unchanged resveratrol; the cited human pharmacokinetic study found very low oral bioavailability of unchanged resveratrol
  • Direct SIRT1 activation is substrate- and assay-dependent and remains mechanistically debated
  • Human lifespan extension has not been established

Reported Side Effects

  • The evidence represented here does not establish broad long-term safety across doses, formulations, or populations
  • Human safety and interaction evidence varies by formulation, dose, co-medications, and population
United States
Marketed as a dietary-supplement ingredient; not an FDA-approved treatment represented by this record.
United Kingdom
Jurisdiction-specific status is not assessed in this reference.
Australia
Jurisdiction-specific status is not assessed in this reference.
Canada
Jurisdiction-specific status is not assessed in this reference.

Citations & Sources