The History of Resveratrol: From a Japanese Wildflower to the French Paradox

Few supplements have a backstory quite like resveratrol. It was discovered in a toxic Japanese wildflower, became famous because of French red wine, and launched a wave of research into healthy aging. Here's the full story.

1939: Discovered in a wildflower

Resveratrol was first isolated in 1939 by Japanese scientist Michio Takaoka, from the roots of the white hellebore (Veratrum grandiflorum).^[1][2] Its name reflects its chemistry: it's a resorcinol derivative isolated from a Veratrum plant.^[2]

Resveratrol is a plant compound called a stilbene. Plants produce it as part of their response to stress and injury. Today, the richest source is Japanese knotweed, a plant that has been brewed as a traditional tea (known as Itadori tea) in Japan and China.^[2]

Grapes and red wine

Resveratrol is also found in grape skins. Because red wine is fermented with the grape skins and white wine generally is not, red wine contains noticeably more resveratrol.^[1] Red grape varieties and red wines contain roughly 3 to 10 times more resveratrol than white ones.^[2]

1992: The "French paradox"

Resveratrol stayed relatively obscure until the early 1990s. Researchers had observed that people in France had relatively low rates of coronary heart disease, despite a diet high in saturated fat. In 1992, French researchers Serge Renaud and Michel de Lorgeril proposed in The Lancet that moderate wine consumption might help explain this "French paradox."^[1]

Scientists began searching red wine for compounds that might be responsible, and resveratrol quickly became the star. Thousands of studies followed.^[1]

Resveratrol and the science of aging

In 2003, a landmark laboratory study linked resveratrol to sirtuins, a family of proteins involved in how cells respond to stress, and reported that it extended the lifespan of yeast.^[2] This sparked enormous excitement about resveratrol and healthy aging.

What human research shows

Here's where the story gets more complicated. Results in people have been far more modest and mixed than early lab studies suggested, and a 2016 review in Advances in Nutrition noted that most proposed benefits had not yet been confirmed in clinical trials.^[2] One major challenge is bioavailability: when you swallow resveratrol, your body rapidly converts most of it into other compounds, so relatively little remains in its original form in the bloodstream.^[1][2]

The French paradox itself has also been questioned. The same review calculated that the amount of resveratrol in red wine is far too small to explain the French paradox.^[2] Resveratrol supplements are not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle, and there is no health reason to start drinking alcohol.

Research on resveratrol continues, particularly on improving its absorption. For more detail, read Resveratrol Explained: Benefits, Research & What to Know.

How the FDA regulates resveratrol

Resveratrol is sold as a dietary supplement in the US. Under DSHEA (1994), the FDA does not approve supplements for safety or effectiveness before they reach the market.^[3]

Safety notes

• High doses can cause digestive upset, such as nausea or diarrhea.^[2]
• Resveratrol may affect blood clotting, so talk with your doctor if you take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder or upcoming surgery.
• Check with your doctor if you have a hormone-sensitive condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or take prescription medications.

The bottom line

From a Japanese wildflower to French wine glasses to longevity laboratories, resveratrol has one of the most interesting histories in the supplement world. The science has been exciting, and also humbling, and research is still ongoing.

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Sources

1. Catalgol B, et al. Resveratrol: French Paradox Revisited. Front Pharmacol. 2012;3:141.
2. Weiskirchen S, Weiskirchen R. Resveratrol: How Much Wine Do You Have to Drink to Stay Healthy? Adv Nutr. 2016;7(4):706–718.
3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Information for Consumers on Using Dietary Supplements.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This content is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Historical and traditional uses are described for context only.