Latest Resveratrol Research: ‘Improved exercise performance in a pill’ - About Health | Blog

Are you lacking the energy needed to drag yourself to the gym tonight after a busy day at work? Is your exercise routine suffering because you are just too tired? Do you get to the gym but then struggle to finish your workout because you feel you are running on empty? An exciting new study shows how Resveratrol, a natural compound famously found in red wine, could help boost exercise training and performance by improving muscle strength, heart function and energy metabolism.

History of Resveratrol

Over the past decade Resveratrol has been the subject of extensive research into numerous health benefits, and many scientists believe it to be responsible for the 'French Paradox' - the French tend to live longer, healthier lives, despite the fact they have many known risk factors, including a diet high in saturated fat, smoking and drinking lots of coffee. It is theorised that this effect may be due to the consumption of moderate amounts of red wine - a pastime enjoyed by many French people. Red wine is a source of resveratrol and other polyphenols found in grape skin and grape seeds. What is more interesting to note is the numerous recent studies on animals which have shown resveratrol to dramatically increase life span and even mimic the health benefits of a calorie-restricted diet.

Latest Study

The latest study, which was published in the Journal of Physiology investigated the effects that high-doses of resveratrol had when administered to rats. The Principal investigator Jason Dyck and his team found that the polyphenol compound, also found in red grape skin, Japanese Knotweed, peanuts and some berries, was shown to increase whole body oxidative metabolism, as well as improved physical performance, heart function and muscle strength. "We were excited when we saw that resveratrol showed results similar to what you would see from extensive endurance exercise training," says Dyck, who works in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry as a researcher in the department of Pediatrics and the department of Pharmacology. "We immediately saw the potential for this and thought that we identified 'improved exercise performance in a pill.' "

Exercise in a pill?

“I think resveratrol could help patient populations who want to exercise but are physically incapable. Resveratrol could mimic exercise for them or improve the benefits of the modest amount of exercise that they can do,” says Dyck. “It is very satisfying to progress from basic research in a lab to testing in people, in a short period of time.” Physical exercise has many benefits; it’s a great way to control weight, improve mood and mental health, build muscle, improve cardiac health and boost energy. So, whilst we wouldn’t recommend ditching your exercise routine, if you do find that you are going to be out of action for a short while or you want to help improve your current exercise performance, taking a daily resveratrol supplement such as Res-V Plus or Res-V Ultimate can help support your health until you are able to get moving again.