Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that produces a number of complications as a result of insulin deficiency, insulin resistance or the combination of both of these. It is a health problem of great significance throughout the world because of diabetes’ very high incidence and complications. In 2017, in excess of 290 million people about the world suffered from this disease, and it has been calculated that this amount of people will grow to 440 million by 2029.
If you’ve heard that a daily glass of red wine can lower high cholesterol, odds are you’ve heard of resveratrol — the often talked-about grape substance present in red wine. But in addition to being a healthy part of red wine and other foods, resveratrol provides health enhancing power in its own right. In fact, resveratrol supplements are tied to numerous impressive health and wellness benefits, such as safeguarding brain function, decreasing blood pressure, and, of most significantly here, managing diabetes.
What Is Resveratrol?
Resveratrol is a naturally occurring plant chemical that belongs to a class of polyphenols termed stilbenoids (also called stilbenes). Any conversation related to resveratrol normally also includes mention of red wine. That’s because red grapes — the main component in red wine — is the plant with the greatest amount of resveratrol. This substance tends to be found predominantly in the skins and seeds of the grape, and these parts of the grape are included in the fermentation of red wine — thus the red wine’s particularly high accumulation of this polyphenol.
Although certainly the most recognized provider for resveratrol is red grapes (and so red wine), this polyphenol is present in a number of other foods — although definitely not in concentrations as great as in red grapes. Here are the main dietary sources for this polyphenol:
- Red grapes (particularly the skins and seeds)
- Red wine
- Cranberries
- Blueberries
- Dark chocolate
- Pistachios
- Itadori tea
How Resveratrol Helps Manage Diabetes
Resveratrol has turned up as one of the top natural compounds to fight diabetes and its ramifications. Resveratrol is not a controlled, formal, prescribed medication — it is an antioxidant compound available as a dietary product. The question is, how does this polyphenol act to deal with diabetes? There are a few ways resveratrol can benefit a person who has diabetes. Studies have found that resveratrol:
- Reduces fasting glucose and insulin resistance
- Activates AMPK, a protein that helps your body metabolize blood sugar tp help keep blood sugar values lowered
- Lessens inflammation, which can be a main contributor in the development several chronic diseases, including diabetes
Resveratrol Is a Strong Antioxidant
When oxygen engages with certain molecules in your body, the outcome is the creation of oxidizing compounds, or free radicals. A surplus of oxidants, or free radicals, can surpass the body’s natural antioxidant defense system and bring about oxidative stress. Oxidative stress might damage cell tissue and lead to DNA damage, resulting in inflammation and long-standing ailments such as cancer. And diabetes. — Oxidative stress can bring on a number of the complications connected with diabetes.
Oxidative stress is largely acknowledged as a fundamental factor in the onset of insulin resistance. Resveratrol is a powerful polyphenol that can shield your cells against oxidative stress. This compound is able to provide a hydrogen atom or electron in order to stabilize free radicals, which molecule byproducts from natural processes that happen in a person’s body or enter the body from exterior sources, such as being exposed to air pollutants, ozone, X-rays, and cigarette smoke.
Resveratrol Boosts Sirt1 Enzyme
Sirtuins are a class of longevity enzymes. Human beings have seven different types of sirtuins, and each are important to scientists concerned with their contribution to anti-aging. Of these different sirtuins, the enzyme referred to as Sirtuin 1, also called SIRT1, is the best well-studied.
SIRT1 has been associated with DNA repair, longevity, insulin secretion, and improved insulin sensitivity. It’s ability to positively alter insulin activity makes this enzyme important to clinicians who do work in the area of diabetes. Important here is the fact that resveratrol is able to stimulate Sirtuin 1.
Studies have disclosed a connection between Sirtuin 1 and the actions of insulin secretion and glucose metabolism. Resveratrol given to research study subjects led to increased insulin sensitivity in cells and lowered insulin resistance.
Resveratrol Supplements
Resveratrol supplements are commonly sold in capsule or bulk powder form. Standard suggested dose is 250 mg to 1,000 mg (1 gm) daily. The studies that involve resveratrol did not identify any kind of negative reactions, even in studies where the participants received resveratrol doses of up to 10 grams per day.
The few times unfavorable side effects are documented the side effects are commonly relatively mild and only at high dose levels. Side effects then consisted of diarrhea, nausea, and other gastrointestinal issues.