Resveratrol - CancerChoices



Resveratrol is a natural antioxidant compound found in grape skins and other foods and widely available as a supplement. It is linked to body terrainthe internal conditions of your body, including nutritional status, fitness, blood sugar balance, hormone balance, inflammation and more that is less favorable to cancer growth and spread.

Resveratrol at a glance

Resveratrol is a polyphenol that can reduce oxidative stressan imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in your body in which antioxidant levels are lower than normal; this imbalance can cause harmful oxidation reactions in your body chemistry. Resveratrol is found in grape skins and seeds, peanuts, blueberries, cranberries, and cocoa but is usually taken as a supplement. Supplements are generally low-cost and widely available.

Resveratrol’s main contribution regarding cancer is in optimizing your body terrain, especially reducing inflammation that is known to support cancer development and growth. Use also leads to lower body weight, blood sugar, and insulin resistancea condition in which cells in your muscles, fat, and liver don’t respond well to insulin and can’t efficiently take up glucose from your blood for energy among people with diabetes or other metabolic imbalances, and preliminary evidence shows some effects on other body terrain factors important in cancer: coagulation, hormone balance, and levels of vascular endothelial growth factora substance made by cells, including cancer cells, that stimulates new blood vessel formation (VEGF) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1a substance made by cells, including cancer cells, that stimulates new blood vessel formation (HIF1). Resveratrol is used widely in integrativein cancer care, a patient-centered approach combining the best of conventional care, self care, and evidence-informed complementary care in an integrated plan programs.

Before using resveratrol, note cautions about interactions with a few prescription drugs. Consult your oncology team about interactions with other treatments and therapies. Also make sure resveratrol is safe for use with any other medical conditions you may have.

Resveratrol is a main phytochemical in grape seeds and skins. Also see our review of Grapes and Grape Extracts.

CancerChoices ratings for resveratrol

We rate resveratrol on seven attributes, with 0 the lowest rating and 5 the highest. We rate the strength of the evidence supporting the use of resveratrol for a medical benefit, such as improving treatment outcomes or managing side effects.

See how we evaluate and rate complementary therapies ›

2

Improving treatment outcomes

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4

Optimizing your body terrain

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4

Managing side effects and promoting wellness

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2

Reducing cancer risk

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3

Use by integrative oncology experts

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3

Safety

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5

Affordability and access

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Author

Nancy Hepp, MS

Lead Researcher
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Ms. Hepp is a researcher and communicator who has been writing and editing educational content on varied health topics for more than 20 years. She serves as lead researcher and writer for CancerChoices and also served as the first program manager. Her graduate work in research and cognitive psychology, her master’s degree in instructional design, and her certificate in web design have all guided her in writing and presenting information for a wide variety of audiences and uses. Nancy’s service as faculty development coordinator in the Department of Family Medicine at Wright State University also provided experience in medical research, plus insights into medical education and medical care from the professional’s perspective.

Nancy Hepp, MS Lead Researcher

Reviewer

Andrew Jackson, ND

Research Associate
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Andrew Jackson, ND, serves as a CancerChoices research associate. As a naturopathic physician practicing in Kirkland, Washington, he teaches critical evaluation of the medical literture at Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington. His great appreciation of scientific inquiry and the scientific process has led him to view research with a critical eye.

Andrew Jackson, ND Research Associate

Last update: May 7, 2024

Last full literature review: February 2024

CancerChoices provides information about integrative in cancer care, a patient-centered approach combining the best of conventional care, self care and evidence-informed complementary care in an integrated plan cancer care. We review complementaryin cancer care, complementary care involves the use of therapies intended to enhance or add to standard conventional treatments; examples include supplements, mind-body approaches such as yoga or psychosocial therapy, and acupuncture therapies and self-care lifestyle actions and behaviors that may impact cancer outcomes; examples include eating health-promoting foods, limiting alcohol, increasing physical activity, and managing stress practices to help patients and professionals explore and integrate the best combination of conventionalthe cancer care offered by conventionally trained physicians and most hospitals; examples are chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy and complementary therapies and practices for each person.

Our staff have no financial conflicts of interest to declare. We receive no funds from any manufacturers or retailers gaining financial profit by promoting or discouraging therapies mentioned on this site.

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