Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A natural compound that is found in grapes, mulberries, peanuts, and other plants or food products, especially red wine, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and may protect against cancer and cardiovascular disease.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun chemistry A phenolic substance, 3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene, that occurs in some fruits, nuts and in red wine, that has antioxidant and other beneficial properties.

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[res(orcinol) + New Latin Vērātrum, hellebore genus; see veratrine + –ol.]

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word resveratrol.

Examples

  • But researchers have had mixed success in recreating the original experiments showing both that sirtuins can extend life, and that they can be "activated" by a substance called resveratrol, which is currently found in anti-aging creams and under investigation for ailments associated with old age.

    Reuters: Press Release 2011

  • But researchers have had mixed success in recreating the original experiments showing both that sirtuins can extend life, and that they can be "activated" by a substance called resveratrol, which is currently found in anti-aging creams and under investigation for ailments associated with old age.

    FOXNews.com 2011

  • The antioxidant chemicals in alcohol could protect the brain, and wine drinkers may benefit from an additional healthy brain compound found in grapes called resveratrol, which increases life span in animals similar to caloric restriction.

    Gary W. Small, M.D.: Does Alcohol Help Prevent Alzheimer's? M.D. Gary W. Small 2012

  • The antioxidant chemicals in alcohol could protect the brain, and wine drinkers may benefit from an additional healthy brain compound found in grapes called resveratrol, which increases life span in animals similar to caloric restriction.

    Gary W. Small, M.D.: Does Alcohol Help Prevent Alzheimer's? M.D. Gary W. Small 2012

  • The antioxidant chemicals in alcohol could protect the brain, and wine drinkers may benefit from an additional healthy brain compound found in grapes called resveratrol, which increases life span in animals similar to caloric restriction.

    Gary W. Small, M.D.: Does Alcohol Help Prevent Alzheimer's? M.D. Gary W. Small 2012

  • The antioxidant chemicals in alcohol could protect the brain, and wine drinkers may benefit from an additional healthy brain compound found in grapes called resveratrol, which increases life span in animals similar to caloric restriction.

    Gary W. Small, M.D.: Does Alcohol Help Prevent Alzheimer's? M.D. Gary W. Small 2012

  • The antioxidant chemicals in alcohol could protect the brain, and wine drinkers may benefit from an additional healthy brain compound found in grapes called resveratrol, which increases life span in animals similar to caloric restriction.

    Gary W. Small, M.D.: Does Alcohol Help Prevent Alzheimer's? M.D. Gary W. Small 2012

  • Similarly, a compound called resveratrol, found in red wine, also might switch on the gene, and tap the brakes on aging, at least in animals.

    Gene Shows Promise for Alzheimer's 2010

  • On December 2, pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline quietly halted a clinical trial of SRT501, a concentrated form of resveratrol, which is the much-hyped substance found in red wine grapes.

    Arlene Weintraub: Drug Trial Raises Doubts About Resveratrol's Anti-Aging Powers Arlene Weintraub 2010

  • On December 2, pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline quietly halted a clinical trial of SRT501, a concentrated form of resveratrol, which is the much-hyped substance found in red wine grapes.

    Arlene Weintraub: Drug Trial Raises Doubts About Resveratrol's Anti-Aging Powers Arlene Weintraub 2010

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.

  • A phytoalexin produced naturally by several plants when under attack by pathogens such as bacteria or fungi. Resveratrol has also been produced by chemical synthesis, and is sold as a nutritional supplement derived primarily from Japanese knotweed. A number of beneficial health effects, such as anti-cancer, antiviral, neuroprotective, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory effects have been reported. (Wikipedia)

    May 22, 2008

  • A new insight into the reason for aging has been gained by scientists trying to understand how resveratrol, a minor ingredient of red wine, improves the health and lifespan of laboratory mice. They believe that the integrity of chromosomes is compromised as people age, and that resveratrol works by activating a protein known as sirtuin that restores the chromosomes to health.

    Scientists Find Clues to Aging in a Red Wine Ingredient’s Role in Activating a Protein (Nicholas Wade)

    November 28, 2008