Resveratrol

Our assessments of evidence for each medical benefit fall into one of these categories:

• Strong evidence: consistent, significant effects in several large (or at least one very large) well designed clinical studies or at least two meta-analysesa statistical analysis that combines the results of two or more research studies; the results of smaller research studies addressing the same or similar questions can be analyzed as though they are one bigger, more powerful study of clinical studies of moderate or better quality (or one large meta-analysis) finding similar results
• Good evidence: significant effects in one large or several mid-sized and well-designed clinical studies ( randomized controlled trialsa study design in which people are randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group to compare the outcomes from different treatments; an RCT is considered a strong design for determining a therapy’s effects with an appropriate placebo or other strong comparison control or observational studies that control for confounds)
• Modest evidence: significant effects in at least three small but well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs), or one or more well-designed, mid-sized clinical studies of reasonably good quality (RCTs or observationala type of study in which individuals are observed or certain outcomes are measured, but no attempt is made to affect the outcome (for example, no treatment is given); an example is a study that records people’s diets, but doesn’t try to alter their diets, and looks for patterns of disease or other outcomes related to different foods studies), or several small studies aggregated into a meta-analysis
• Preliminary evidence: significant effects in small or poorly designed clinical studies OR conflicting results in adequate studies but a preponderance of evidence of an effect
• Weak evidence: one or more case studies, supported by animal evidence OR small treatment effects of limited clinical significance OR studies with no controls OR weak trends of effects
• Insufficient evidence: preclinical evidence only OR clinical studies with such poor or unclear methodology that no conclusion can be drawn OR conflicting findings across clinical studies with no preponderance of evidence in one direction; conflicting evidence occurs when studies find conflicting effects (positive effect vs no effect or negative effect) with the same treatment and the same general study population (same cancer type, for example)

Learn more about how we research and rate therapies and practices in How We Rate Therapies ›

• 39% higher levels of cleaved caspase-3, a marker of programmed cell death (apoptosis), in cancerous liver tissue from people with colorectal cancer and liver metastases treated with 5.0 g micronized resveratrol (SRT501) a day for 14 days compared to placeboa pill, medicine, or procedure—thought to be both harmless and ineffective—prescribed for the psychological benefit to the patient or as a sham treatment in a study to allow a comparison to a therapy of interest in a small RCTrandomized controlled trial, a study design in which people are randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group to compare the outcomes from different treatments; an RCT is considered a strong design for determining a therapy’s effects¹Howells LM, Berry DP et al. Phase I randomized, double-blind pilot study of micronized resveratrol (SRT501) in patients with hepatic metastases—safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics. Cancer Prevention Research (Philadelphia, Pa.). 2011;4(9):1419-1425.

• 5% lower levels of a marker of tumor cell proliferation (Ki-67) among people with resectable colorectal cancer treated with 1 or 2 immediate-release caplets each containing 0.5 g resveratrol each evening for 8 days before surgical resection compared to baseline in a small uncontrolled triala study in which a therapy is used, but without a comparison group against which to judge outcomes; an uncontrolled trial is considered a weak study design²Patel KR, Brown VA et al. Clinical pharmacology of resveratrol and its metabolites in colorectal cancer patients. Cancer Research. 2010 Oct 1;70(19):7392-9.

• Lower prostate-specific antigen (PSA) after cancer treatments (radiotherapy, chemotherapy or intravesical immunotherapy) among people with prostate malignancies with increased oxidative stress and residual symptoms treated with nutraceutical tablets containing curcumin, N-acetylcysteine, citrus paradisi Macfad seeds, chitosan from shellfish, resveratrol, black pepper, astaxantin, and cordyceps for 6 weeks compared to baseline, but minimal changes among people receiving standard management in a small controlled triala study design in which people are assigned to either an experimental group or a control group to compare the outcomes from different treatment; assignment is not random, and so this is not as strong a study design as a randomized controlled trial, but still stronger than an uncontrolled trial³Ledda A, Belcaro G et al. A natural pharma standard supplement formulation to control treatment-related toxicity and oxidative stress in genitourinary cancer: a preliminary study. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Science. 2017 Sep;21(18):4196-4202.

• Favorable (lower) platelet aggregation after a heart attack (post-infarction) among Caucasians treated with 10 mg resveratrol a day for 3 months compared to placeboa pill, medicine, or procedure—thought to be both harmless and ineffective—prescribed for the psychological benefit to the patient or as a sham treatment in a study to allow a comparison to a therapy of interest in a small RCTrandomized controlled trial, a study design in which people are randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group to compare the outcomes from different treatments; an RCT is considered a strong design for determining a therapy’s effects⁴Magyar K, Halmosi R et al. Cardioprotection by resveratrol: a human clinical trial in patients with stable coronary artery disease. Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation. 2012;50(3):179-87.
• Higher levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1—a protein that promotes the dissolution of clots—among people at high risk of cardiovascular disease treated with a resveratrol-enriched grape supplement with 8 mg resveratrol for 6 months and then a double dose for 6 more months compared to a conventional grape-derived supplement or placebo in a small RCT⁵Tomé-Carneiro J, Gonzálvez M et al. One-year consumption of a grape nutraceutical containing resveratrol improves the inflammatory and fibrinolytic status of patients in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. American Journal of Cardiology. 2012 Aug 1;110(3):356-63.

Modest evidence of smaller waist circumference among people with metabolic syndrome treated with more than 500 mg resveratrol for 10 or more weeks

• Smaller waist circumference among people with metabolic syndrome treated with more than 500 mg resveratrol for 10 or more weeks compared to controls in a meta-analysisa statistical analysis that combines the results of two or more research studies; the results of smaller research studies addressing the same or similar questions can be analyzed as though they are one bigger, more powerful study of 10 controlled trialsa study design in which people are assigned to either an experimental group or a control group to compare the outcomes from different treatment; assignment is not random, and so this is not as strong a study design as a randomized controlled trial, but still stronger than an uncontrolled trial⁶Asgary S, Karimi R, Momtaz S, Naseri R, Farzaei MH. Effect of resveratrol on metabolic syndrome components: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Reviews in Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders. 2019 Jun;20(2):173-186.

No evidence of an effect on body mass index among people with polycystic ovary syndrome treated with resveratrol in a combined analysis of studies

• No evidence of an effect on body mass index among people with polycystic ovary syndrome treated with resveratrol compared to placeboa pill, medicine, or procedure—thought to be both harmless and ineffective—prescribed for the psychological benefit to the patient or as a sham treatment in a study to allow a comparison to a therapy of interest in a meta-analysis of 3 RCTsrandomized controlled trial, a study design in which people are randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group to compare the outcomes from different treatments; an RCT is considered a strong design for determining a therapy’s effects⁷Larik MO, Ahmed A, Khan L, Iftekhar MA. Effects of resveratrol on polycystic ovarian syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Endocrine. 2024 Jan;83(1):51-59.

Weak evidence of lower body weight and body mass index among people with type 2 diabetes treated with resveratrol

• Weak trendsan apparent change due to a therapy, close to but not achieving full statistical significance (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently toward lower body weight and body mass index among people with type 2 diabetes treated with 100 mg resveratrol a day for 12 weeks compared to placebo in a small RCT⁸Imamura H, Yamaguchi T et al. Resveratrol ameliorates arterial stiffness assessed by cardio-ankle vascular index in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. International Heart Journal. 2017 Aug 3;58(4):577-583.

People with diabetes or other metabolic imbalances: good evidence of lower markers of blood sugar and insulin resistance among people with diabetes or other metabolic imbalances treated with resveratrol; also see one caution regarding blood sugar in Safety and precautions ›

• Lower markers of high blood sugar (HbA1cHemoglobin A1C, a marker of the average blood sugar (glucose) level for the previous two to three months) and insulin resistance among people treated with resveratrol compared to placeboa pill, medicine, or procedure—thought to be both harmless and ineffective—prescribed for the psychological benefit to the patient or as a sham treatment in a study to allow a comparison to a therapy of interest, and lower fasting blood glucose only among people with diabetes, in a meta-analysisa statistical analysis that combines the results of two or more research studies; the results of smaller research studies addressing the same or similar questions can be analyzed as though they are one bigger, more powerful study of 30 RCTsrandomized controlled trial, a study design in which people are randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group to compare the outcomes from different treatments; an RCT is considered a strong design for determining a therapy’s effects⁹Delpino FM, Figueiredo LM. Resveratrol supplementation and type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 2022;62(16):4465-4480.
• Lower levels of glucose and insulin, and weak trendsan apparent change due to a therapy, close to but not achieving full statistical significance (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently toward lower HbA1c (stronger effects with 3 months or more of treatment) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) among people (mostly with metabolic imbalances) treated with resveratrol compared to controls in a meta-analysis of 30 RCTs¹⁰García-Martínez BI, Ruiz-Ramos M, Pedraza-Chaverri J, Santiago-Osorio E, Mendoza-Núñez VM. Hypoglycemic effect of resveratrol: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Antioxidants (Basel). 2021 Jan 7;10(1):69.
• Lower blood sugar (glucose) among people with metabolic syndrome treated with more than 500 mg resveratrol for 10 or more weeks compared to controls in a meta-analysis of 10 controlled trialsa study design in which people are assigned to either an experimental group or a control group to compare the outcomes from different treatment; assignment is not random, and so this is not as strong a study design as a randomized controlled trial, but still stronger than an uncontrolled trial¹¹Asgary S, Karimi R, Momtaz S, Naseri R, Farzaei MH. Effect of resveratrol on metabolic syndrome components: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Reviews in Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders. 2019 Jun;20(2):173-186.
• Lower fasting plasma glucose (with stronger effects at doses of 100 mg or higher per day), and lower insulin levels (9 studies) and HOMA-IR (5 studies), and a very weak trend toward lower HbA1c (6 studies) among people with type 2 diabetes treated with resveratrol compared to controls in a meta-analysis of 9 RCTs¹²Zhu X, Wu C, Qiu S, Yuan X, Li L. Effects of resveratrol on glucose control and insulin sensitivity in subjects with type 2 diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrition & Metabolism (Lond). 2017 Sep 22;14:60.
• Lower levels of fasting glucose, insulin, HbA1c, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) among people with diabetes, but no evidence of an effect among nondiabetic people treated with resveratrol compared to controls in a meta-analysis of 11 RCTs¹³Liu K, Zhou R, Wang B, Mi MT. Effect of resveratrol on glucose control and insulin sensitivity: a meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2014 Jun;99(6):1510-9.
• No evidence of an effect on blood sugar and insulin (glycoinsulinemic metabolism) among women with polycystic ovary syndrome treated with 1000 mg resveratrol every day for 3 months compared to placebo in a small RCT¹⁴Mansour A, Samadi M et al. Effect of resveratrol on menstrual cyclicity, hyperandrogenism and metabolic profile in women with PCOS. Clinical Nutrition. 2021 Jun;40(6):4106-4112.

Not specific to people with metabolic imbalances

No evidence of an effect on blood sugar among people treated with resveratrol in a combined analysis of studies (not specific to people with metabolic imbalances)

• No evidence of an effect on blood sugar (glucose) among people treated with resveratrol compared to controls in a meta-analysis of 10 RCTs¹⁵Sahebkar A, Serban C et al; Lipid and Blood Pressure Meta-analysis Collaboration Group. Lack of efficacy of resveratrol on C-reactive protein and selected cardiovascular risk factors—results from a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. International Journal of Cardiology. 2015;189:47-55.

Preliminary evidence of lower fasting insulin and insulin resistance index among healthy postmenopausal women treated with resveratrol

• Lower fasting insulin and insulin resistance index among healthy postmenopausal women treated with 75 mg resveratrol twice a day for 12 months compared to placebo in a mid-sized RCT¹⁶Thaung Zaw JJ, Howe PR, Wong RH. Long-term effects of resveratrol on cognition, cerebrovascular function and cardio-metabolic markers in postmenopausal women: a 24-month randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Clinical Nutrition. 2021 Mar;40(3):820-829.

Metabolic hormones

Preliminary evidence of higher levels of adiponectin—which contributes to the control of glucose uptake and lipid metabolism—among people at high risk of cardiovascular disease treated with resveratrol

• Higher levels of adiponectin among people at high risk of cardiovascular disease treated with a resveratrol-enriched grape-derived supplement with 8 mg resveratrol for 6 months and then a double dose for 6 more months compared to a conventional grape-derived supplement or placeboa pill, medicine, or procedure—thought to be both harmless and ineffective—prescribed for the psychological benefit to the patient or as a sham treatment in a study to allow a comparison to a therapy of interest in a small RCTrandomized controlled trial, a study design in which people are randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group to compare the outcomes from different treatments; an RCT is considered a strong design for determining a therapy’s effects¹⁷Tomé-Carneiro J, Gonzálvez M et al. One-year consumption of a grape nutraceutical containing resveratrol improves the inflammatory and fibrinolytic status of patients in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. American Journal of Cardiology. 2012 Aug 1;110(3):356-63.

Preliminary evidence of a better marker of blood sugar control but no evidence of an effect on a hormone released in response to food after a meal among obese men treated with resveratrol

• A better marker of blood sugar control (lower glucagon responses) but no evidence of an effect on a hormone released in response to food (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) after a meal among obese men treated with 150 mg resveratrol per day for 30 days compared to placebo in a small RCT¹⁸Knop FK, Konings E et al. Thirty days of resveratrol supplementation does not affect postprandial incretin hormone responses, but suppresses postprandial glucagon in obese subjects. Diabetes Medicine. 2013 Oct;30(10):1214-8.

People with Type 2 diabetes may have glucagon levels that are relatively higher than what would be considered normal based on blood glucose levels. This can contribute to higher blood sugars.

Sex hormones

Insufficient (conflicting) evidence of an effect on sex hormones among people with polycystic ovary syndrome treated with resveratrol

• Lower prolactin levels but no evidence of an effect on total testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), or luteinizing hormone (LH) among people with polycystic ovary syndrome treated with resveratrol compared to placebo in a meta-analysisa statistical analysis that combines the results of two or more research studies; the results of smaller research studies addressing the same or similar questions can be analyzed as though they are one bigger, more powerful study of 3 RCTs¹⁹Larik MO, Ahmed A, Khan L, Iftekhar MA. Effects of resveratrol on polycystic ovarian syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Endocrine. 2024 Jan;83(1):51-59.
• Lower testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) among women with polycystic ovary syndrome treated with resveratrol compared to placebo in a meta-analysis of 4 RCTs²⁰Ali Fadlalmola H, Elhusein AM et al. Efficacy of resveratrol in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Pan African Medical Journal. 2023 Mar 16;44:134.

Preliminary evidence of lower serum levels of androgen precursors but no evidence of an effect on testosterone, free testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone among middle-aged men with metabolic syndrome treated with resveratrol

• Lower serum levels of androgen precursors (androstenedione, DHEA, and DHEAS) but no evidence of an effect on testosterone, free testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone among middle-aged men with metabolic syndrome treated with 1,000 mg resveratrol a day for 4 months compared to placebo in a small RCT²¹Kjaer TN, Ornstrup MJ et al. Resveratrol reduces the levels of circulating androgen precursors but has no effect on, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, PSA levels or prostate volume. A 4-month randomised trial in middle-aged men. Prostate. 2015 Sep;75(12):1255-63.

Good evidence of lower markers of inflammation among people with metabolic disorders treated with resveratrol

• Some lower markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein and and tumor necrosis factor-α), but no evidence of an effect on interleukin 6 among people with metabolic syndromea cluster of conditions that occur together, including increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels and related disorders treated with resveratrol compared to controls in a meta-analysisa statistical analysis that combines the results of two or more research studies; the results of smaller research studies addressing the same or similar questions can be analyzed as though they are one bigger, more powerful study of 24 RCTsrandomized controlled trial, a study design in which people are randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group to compare the outcomes from different treatments; an RCT is considered a strong design for determining a therapy’s effects²²Tabrizi R , Tamtaji OR et al. The effects of resveratrol supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress among patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Food & Function. 2018 Dec 13;9(12):6116-6128.
• Lower markers of inflammation (serum levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-18, NF-κB, and C-reactive protein) among women with polycystic ovary syndrome treated with 800 mg resveratrol a day for 40 days compared to placeboa pill, medicine, or procedure—thought to be both harmless and ineffective—prescribed for the psychological benefit to the patient or as a sham treatment in a study to allow a comparison to a therapy of interest in a small RCT²³Brenjian S, Moini A et al. Resveratrol treatment in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome decreased pro-inflammatory and endoplasmic reticulum stress markers. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology. 2020 Jan;83(1):e13186.
• Lower levels of a marker of inflammation (C-reactive protein) among people with type 2 diabetes treated with resveratrol compared to controls in a meta-analysis of 6 RCTs²⁴Hosseini H, Koushki M et al. The effect of resveratrol supplementation on C-reactive protein (CRP) in type 2 diabetic patients: Results from a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2020 Mar;49:102251.

No evidence of an effect on a marker of inflammation among people treated with resveratrol or with higher resveratrol levels from diet in a combined analysis of studies (not specific to metabolic disorders)

• No evidence of an effect on a marker of inflammation (C-reactive protein) among people treated with resveratrol compared to controls in a meta-analysis of 10 RCTs²⁵Sahebkar A, Serban C et al; Lipid and Blood Pressure Meta-analysis Collaboration Group. Lack of efficacy of resveratrol on C-reactive protein and selected cardiovascular risk factors—results from a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. International Journal of Cardiology. 2015;189:47-55.
• No evidence of an effect on markers of inflammation (serum C-reactive protein [CRP], interleukin [IL]-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α) among community-dwelling older adults with higher urinary resveratrol metabolite concentrations from diet compared to low concentrations in a large observationala type of study in which individuals are observed or certain outcomes are measured, but no attempt is made to affect the outcome (for example, no treatment is given); an example is a study that records people’s diets, but doesn’t try to alter their diets, and looks for patterns of disease or other outcomes related to different foods study²⁶Semba RD, Ferrucci L et al. Resveratrol levels and all-cause mortality in older community-dwelling adults. JAMA Internal Medicine. 2014 Jul;174(7):1077-84.

• No evidence of an effect on a marker of oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase) among people with metabolic syndromea cluster of conditions that occur together, including increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels and related disorders treated with resveratrol compared to controls in a meta-analysisa statistical analysis that combines the results of two or more research studies; the results of smaller research studies addressing the same or similar questions can be analyzed as though they are one bigger, more powerful study of 24 RCTsrandomized controlled trial, a study design in which people are randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group to compare the outcomes from different treatments; an RCT is considered a strong design for determining a therapy’s effects²⁷Tabrizi R , Tamtaji OR et al. The effects of resveratrol supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress among patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Food & Function. 2018 Dec 13;9(12):6116-6128.
• Higher levels of total antioxidant status (TAS) among people with type 2 diabetes treated with 500 mg resveratrol for 6 months compared to placeboa pill, medicine, or procedure—thought to be both harmless and ineffective—prescribed for the psychological benefit to the patient or as a sham treatment in a study to allow a comparison to a therapy of interest in a mid-sized RCT²⁸Bo S, Togliatto G et al. Impact of sirtuin-1 expression on H3K56 acetylation and oxidative stress: a double-blind randomized controlled trial with resveratrol supplementation. Acta Diabetologica. 2018 Apr;55(4):331-340.
• A lower marker of oxidative stress (diacron-reactive oxygen metabolites, or d-ROMs) among people with type 2 diabetes treated with 100 mg resveratrol a day for 12 weeks compared to placebo in a small RCT²⁹Imamura H, Yamaguchi T et al. Resveratrol ameliorates arterial stiffness assessed by cardio-ankle vascular index in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. International Heart Journal. 2017 Aug 3;58(4):577-583.
• A lower marker of oxidative stress (urinary ortho-tyrosine excretion) among people with type 2 diabetes treated with 5 mg resveratrol twice a day for 4 weeks compared to placebo in a small RCT³⁰Brasnyó P, Molnár GA et al. Resveratrol improves insulin sensitivity, reduces oxidative stress and activates the Akt pathway in type 2 diabetic patients. British Journal of Nutrition. 2011 Aug;106(3):383-9.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress: preliminary evidence of altered markers of endoplasmic reticulum stress among women with polycystic ovary syndrome treated with resveratrol

• Altered markers of stress (higher expression levels of genes: ATF4 and ATF6, and lower expression levels of genes: CHOP, GRP78, and XBP1) among women with polycystic ovary syndrome treated with 800 mg resveratrol a day for 40 days compared to placeboa pill, medicine, or procedure—thought to be both harmless and ineffective—prescribed for the psychological benefit to the patient or as a sham treatment in a study to allow a comparison to a therapy of interest in a small RCTrandomized controlled trial, a study design in which people are randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group to compare the outcomes from different treatments; an RCT is considered a strong design for determining a therapy’s effects³¹Brenjian S, Moini A et al. Resveratrol treatment in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome decreased pro-inflammatory and endoplasmic reticulum stress markers. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology. 2020 Jan;83(1):e13186.

Resveratrol and myoinositol: preliminary evidence of higher levels of adiponectin—which regulates insulin sensitivity and inflammation—plus lower body mass index and waist-hip ratio among obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome treated with resveratrol and myoinositol

• Higher levels of adiponectin plus lower body mass index and waist-hip ratio among obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome treated with resveratrol and myoinositol twice a day for 12 weeks compared to metformin and pioglitazone in a mid-sized RCTrandomized controlled trial, a study design in which people are randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group to compare the outcomes from different treatments; an RCT is considered a strong design for determining a therapy’s effects³²Hassan S, Shah M et al. Treatment with combined resveratrol and myoinositol ameliorates endocrine, metabolic alterations and perceived stress response in women with PCOS: a double-blind randomized clinical trial. Endocrine. 2023 Jan;79(1):208-220.

Resveratrol and copper

Preliminary evidence of lower levels of inflammatory cytokines during treatment with high-dose melphalan after transplant among people with multiple myeloma treated with resveratrol and copper

• Lower levels of inflammatory cytokines (salivary TNF-α and IL-1β) during treatment with high-dose melphalan after transplant among people with multiple myeloma treated with 5.6 mg resveratrol and 560 ng copper compared to placeboa pill, medicine, or procedure—thought to be both harmless and ineffective—prescribed for the psychological benefit to the patient or as a sham treatment in a study to allow a comparison to a therapy of interest, but no evidence of an effectoverall, one or more studies did not demonstrate that a treatment or intervention led to an expected outcome; this does not always mean that there is no effect in clinical practice, but that the studies may have been underpowered (too few participants) or poorly designed. Larger, well-designed studies provide more confidence in making assessments. at higher doses of 50 mg resveratrol and 5 μg copper in a small RCT³³Agarwal A, Khandelwal A et al. A novel pro-oxidant combination of resveratrol and copper reduces transplant related toxicities in patients receiving high dose melphalan for multiple myeloma (RESCU 001). PLoS One. 2022 Feb 4;17(2):e0262212.

Tablets containing curcumin, N-acetylcysteine, citrus paradisi Macfad seeds, chitosan from shellfish, resveratrol, black pepper, astaxantin, and cordyceps: weak evidence of lower oxidative stress after cancer treatments among people with prostate or bladder malignancies with increased oxidative stress and residual symptoms treated with nutraceutical tablets containing curcumin, N-acetylcysteine, citrus paradisi Macfad seeds, chitosan from shellfish, resveratrol, black pepper, astaxantin, and cordyceps

• Lower oxidative stress after cancer treatments (radiotherapy, chemotherapy or intravesical immunotherapy) among people with prostate or bladder malignancies with increased oxidative stress and residual symptoms treated with nutraceutical tablets containing curcumin, N-acetylcysteine, citrus paradisi Macfad seeds, chitosan from shellfish, resveratrol, black pepper, astaxantin, and cordyceps for 6 weeks compared to baseline, but minimal changes among people receiving standard management in a small controlled triala study design in which people are assigned to either an experimental group or a control group to compare the outcomes from different treatment; assignment is not random, and so this is not as strong a study design as a randomized controlled trial, but still stronger than an uncontrolled trial³⁴Ledda A, Belcaro G et al. A natural pharma standard supplement formulation to control treatment-related toxicity and oxidative stress in genitourinary cancer: a preliminary study. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Science. 2017 Sep;21(18):4196-4202.

Supplements containing turmeric, resveratrol, green tea, and broccoli sprouts: no evidence of an effect on prostate-specific antigen doubling time among men with biochemical recurrence with a moderate PSA rise rate treated with a phytotherapeutic intervention containing turmeric, resveratrol, green tea, and broccoli sprouts in a small study

• No evidence of an effect on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) doubling time among men with biochemical recurrence with a moderate PSA rise rate treated with a phytotherapeutic intervention containing turmeric, resveratrol, green tea, and broccoli sprouts for 12 weeks compared to placebo in a small RCT³⁵van Die MD, Williams SG et al. A placebo-controlled double-blinded randomized pilot study of combination phytotherapy in biochemically recurrent prostate cancer. Prostate. 2017 May;77(7):765-775.

Blood-related symptoms: preliminary evidence of more favorable red blood cell deformability after a heart attack (post-infarction) among Caucasians treated with resveratrol (not specific to cancer)

• Favorable (higher) red blood cell deformability after a heart attack (post-infarction) among Caucasians treated with 10 mg resveratrol a day for 3 months compared to placeboa pill, medicine, or procedure—thought to be both harmless and ineffective—prescribed for the psychological benefit to the patient or as a sham treatment in a study to allow a comparison to a therapy of interest in a small RCTrandomized controlled trial, a study design in which people are randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group to compare the outcomes from different treatments; an RCT is considered a strong design for determining a therapy’s effects³⁶Magyar K, Halmosi R et al. Cardioprotection by resveratrol: a human clinical trial in patients with stable coronary artery disease. Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation. 2012;50(3):179-87.

Bone symptoms: modest evidence of higher markers of bone density among people treated with resveratrol (not specific to cancer)

• Higher levels of serum alkaline phosphatase and bone alkaline phosphatase but no evidence of an effectoverall, one or more studies did not demonstrate that a treatment or intervention led to an expected outcome; this does not always mean that there is no effect in clinical practice, but that the studies may have been underpowered (too few participants) or poorly designed. Larger, well-designed studies provide more confidence in making assessments. on other markers of bone metabolism (serum calcium, osteocalcin, C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, or procollagen I N-terminal propeptide) among people treated with resveratrol compared to placebo in a meta-analysisa statistical analysis that combines the results of two or more research studies; the results of smaller research studies addressing the same or similar questions can be analyzed as though they are one bigger, more powerful study of 6 RCTs³⁷Asis M, Hemmati N et al. Effects of resveratrol supplementation on bone biomarkers: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2019 Dec;1457(1):92-103.
• Higher bone density in the lumbar spine and neck of femur and lower levels of a marker of bone resorption (C‐terminal telopeptide type‐1 collagen), with stronger effects among women with poor bone health biomarker status, among postmenopausal women treated with 75 mg resveratrol twice a day for 12 months compared to placebo in a mid-sized RCT³⁸Wong RH, Thaung Zaw JJ, Xian CJ, Howe PR. Regular supplementation with resveratrol improves bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 2020 Nov;35(11):2121-2131.
• Lower loss of bone density among people with type 2 diabetes treated with 500 mg resveratrol per day for 6 months compared to placebo, with stronger effects among people with lower calcium and 25-hydroxy vitamin D values and in alcohol drinkers in a mid-sized RCT³⁹Bo S, Gambino R et al. Effects of resveratrol on bone health in type 2 diabetic patients. A double-blind randomized-controlled trial. Nutrition & Diabetes. 2018 Sep 20;8(1):51.

Cardiovascular symptoms

Specific to people with metabolic disorders 

Good evidence of lower blood pressure among people with type 2 diabetes treated with resveratrol (not specific to cancer)

• Lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure among people with type 2 diabetes treated with resveratrol compared to controls in a meta-analysis of 9 RCTs⁴⁰Zhu X, Wu C, Qiu S, Yuan X, Li L. Effects of resveratrol on glucose control and insulin sensitivity in subjects with type 2 diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrition & Metabolism (Lond). 2017 Sep 22;14:60.
• Lower systolic blood pressure among people with type 2 diabetes treated with 100 mg resveratrol a day for 12 weeks compared to placebo in a small RCT⁴¹Imamura H, Yamaguchi T et al. Resveratrol ameliorates arterial stiffness assessed by cardio-ankle vascular index in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. International Heart Journal. 2017 Aug 3;58(4):577-583.

Preliminary evidence of higher flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery—a biomarker of endothelial function and cardiovascular health—among overweight/obese men or postmenopausal women with untreated borderline hypertension treated with resveratrol (not specific to cancer)

• Higher flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery among overweight/obese men or postmenopausal women with untreated borderline hypertension treated with 30, 90, or 270 mg resveratrol once a week, with stronger effects at higher doses, compared to placebo in a small RCT⁴²Wong RH, Howe PR et al. Acute resveratrol supplementation improves flow-mediated dilatation in overweight/obese individuals with mildly elevated blood pressure. Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Diseases. 2011 Nov;21(11):851-6.

Not specific to people with metabolic disorders 

No evidence of an effect on systolic and diastolic blood pressure among people treated with resveratrol in a combined analysis of studies (not specific to cancer or metabolic disorders)

• No evidence of an effect on systolic and diastolic blood pressure among people treated with resveratrol compared to controls in a meta-analysis of 10 RCTs⁴³Sahebkar A, Serban C et al; Lipid and Blood Pressure Meta-analysis Collaboration Group. Lack of efficacy of resveratrol on C-reactive protein and selected cardiovascular risk factors—results from a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. International Journal of Cardiology. 2015;189:47-55.

Cognitive difficulties: modest evidence of markers of blood flow to the brain but insufficient (conflicting) evidence of an effect on cognitive performance (not specific to cancer)

• Better overall cognitive performance, cerebral blood flow velocity, and cerebrovascular responsiveness to cognitive stimuli among healthy postmenopausal women treated with 75 mg resveratrol twice a day for 12 months compared to placebo in a mid-sized RCT⁴⁴Thaung Zaw JJ, Howe PR, Wong RH. Long-term effects of resveratrol on cognition, cerebrovascular function and cardio-metabolic markers in postmenopausal women: a 24-month randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Clinical Nutrition. 2021 Mar;40(3):820-829.
• Higher cerebral blood flow to the frontal cortex and higher levels of deoxyhemoglobin, suggesting enhanced oxygen extraction, but no evidence of an effect on cognitive function during cognitive tasks among healthy adults treated with 250 or 500 mg trans-resveratrol compared to placebo in a small RCT⁴⁵Kennedy DO, Wightman EL et al. Effects of resveratrol on cerebral blood flow variables and cognitive performance in humans: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover investigation. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2010 Jun;91(6):1590-7.

Hair loss: preliminary evidence of less hair loss among women with polycystic ovary syndrome treated with resveratrol (not specific to cancer)

• Less hair loss (seen in fewer women) among women with polycystic ovary syndrome treated with 1000 mg resveratrol every day for 3 months compared to placebo in a small RCT⁴⁶Mansour A, Samadi M et al. Effect of resveratrol on menstrual cyclicity, hyperandrogenism and metabolic profile in women with PCOS. Clinical Nutrition. 2021 Jun;40(6):4106-4112.

Migraine headaches attributed to hormones: No evidence of an effect on measures of hormonal migraine headaches among people with hormonal migraines treated with resveratrol in a small study (not specific to cancer)

• No evidence of an effect on hormonal migraine burden index, headache scores, Migraine Disability Assessment scores, or Migraine-Specific Quality of Life scores among people with hormonal migraines treated with 75 mg resveratrol twice a day for 3 months compared to placebo in a small RCT⁴⁷Dzator JSA, Howe PRC, Coupland KG, Wong RHX. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial of resveratrol supplementation for prophylaxis of hormonal migraine. Nutrients. 2022 Apr 22;14(9):1763.

Pain: preliminary evidence of lower composite pain scores among healthy postmenopausal women treated with resveratrol, with a stronger effect in healthy overweight postmenopausal women (not specific to cancer)

• Lower composite pain scores, especially among overweight women, among healthy postmenopausal women treated with 75 mg resveratrol twice a day for 12 months compared to placebo in a mid-sized RCT⁴⁸Thaung Zaw JJ, Howe PRC, Wong RHX. Long-term resveratrol supplementation improves pain perception, menopausal symptoms, and overall well-being in postmenopausal women: findings from a 24-month randomized, controlled, crossover trial. Menopause. 2020 Aug 31;28(1):40-49.

DiVFuSS formulation of vitamins C, D3, and E (d-α tocopherol), zinc oxide, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, α-lipoic acid (racemic mixture), coenzyme Q10, mixed tocotrienols/tocopherols, zeaxanthin, lutein, benfotiamine, N-acetyl cysteine, grape seed extract, resveratrol, turmeric root extract, green tea leaf, and Pycnogenol: preliminary evidence of less diabetic peripheral neuropathy among people treated with DiVFuSS formulation

• Less diabetic peripheral neuropathy among people treated with DiVFuSS formulation for 6 months compared to placeboa pill, medicine, or procedure—thought to be both harmless and ineffective—prescribed for the psychological benefit to the patient or as a sham treatment in a study to allow a comparison to a therapy of interest in a small RCTrandomized controlled trial, a study design in which people are randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group to compare the outcomes from different treatments; an RCT is considered a strong design for determining a therapy’s effects⁴⁹Chous AP, Richer SP, Gerson JD, Kowluru RA. The Diabetes Visual Function Supplement Study (DiVFuSS). British Journal of Ophthalmology. 2016 Feb;100(2):227-34.

Resveratrol and myoinositol: preliminary evidence of less stress among obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome treated with resveratrol and myoinositol

• Better perceived stress scale scores among obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome treated with resveratrol and myoinositol twice a day for 12 weeks compared to metformin and pioglitazone in a mid-sized RCT⁵⁰Hassan S, Shah M et al. Treatment with combined resveratrol and myoinositol ameliorates endocrine, metabolic alterations and perceived stress response in women with PCOS: a double-blind randomized clinical trial. Endocrine. 2023 Jan;79(1):208-220.

Resveratrol and copper

Preliminary evidence of less oral mucositis during treatment with high-dose melphalan after transplant among people with multiple myeloma treated with resveratrol and copper

• Less oral mucositis during treatment with high-dose melphalan after transplant among people with multiple myeloma treated with resveratrol and copper compared to placebo in a small RCT⁵¹Agarwal A, Khandelwal A et alI. A novel pro-oxidant combination of resveratrol and copper reduces transplant related toxicities in patients receiving high dose melphalan for multiple myeloma (RESCU 001). PLoS One. 2022 Feb 4;17(2):e0262212.

Weak evidence of lower incidence of hand-foot syndrome, diarrhea, and vomiting but no evidence of an effect on hematological toxicity or overall cumulative incidence of grade 3 or higher toxicity during docetaxel-based multi-agent chemotherapy among people with advanced stomach cancer treated with resveratrol and copper

• Lower incidence of hand-foot syndrome, diarrhea, and vomiting but no evidence of an effect on hematological toxicity or overall cumulative incidence of grade 3 or higher toxicity during docetaxel-based multi-agent chemotherapy among people with advanced stomach (gastric) cancer treated with resveratrol and copper compared to historical controls in a small uncontrolled triala study in which a therapy is used, but without a comparison group against which to judge outcomes; an uncontrolled trial is considered a weak study design⁵²Ostwal V, Ramaswamy A et al. A pro-oxidant combination of resveratrol and copper reduces chemotherapy-related non-haematological toxicities in advanced gastric cancer: results of a prospective open label phase II single-arm study (RESCU III study). Medical Oncology. 2022 Nov 13;40(1):17.

Tablets containing curcumin, N-acetylcysteine, citrus paradisi Macfad seeds, chitosan from shellfish, resveratrol, black pepper, astaxantin, and cordyceps: preliminary evidence of lower intensity of treatment-related signs and symptoms and residual side effects, and better blood cell counts after cancer treatments among people with prostate or bladder malignancies with increased oxidative stress and residual symptoms treated with nutraceutical tablets containing curcumin, N-acetylcysteine, citrus paradisi Macfad seeds, chitosan from shellfish, resveratrol, black pepper, astaxantin, and cordyceps

• Lower intensity of treatment-related signs and symptoms and residual side effects, better blood cell counts after cancer treatments (radiotherapy, chemotherapy or intravesical immunotherapy)  among people with prostate or bladder malignancies with increased oxidative stress and residual symptoms treated with nutraceutical tablets containing curcumin, N-acetylcysteine, citrus paradisi Macfad seeds, chitosan from shellfish, resveratrol, black pepper, astaxantin, and cordyceps for 6 weeks compared to baseline, but minimal changes among people receiving standard management in a small controlled triala study design in which people are assigned to either an experimental group or a control group to compare the outcomes from different treatment; assignment is not random, and so this is not as strong a study design as a randomized controlled trial, but still stronger than an uncontrolled trial⁵³Ledda A, Belcaro G et al. A natural pharma standard supplement formulation to control treatment-related toxicity and oxidative stress in genitourinary cancer: a preliminary study. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Science. 2017 Sep;21(18):4196-4202.

Resveratrol, lycopene, vitamin C, and anthocyanin: weak evidence of lower skin toxicity after surgery and external beam radiotherapy among people with breast cancer treated with tablets containing resveratrol, lycopene, vitamin C, and anthocyanin

• Apparently lower skin toxicity (but statistical significance was not reported) after surgery and external beam radiotherapy with standard prophylactic topical therapy based on hyaluronic acid and topical steroid therapy in case of occurrence of radiodermatitis among people with breast cancer treated with tablets containing resveratrol, lycopene, vitamin C, and anthocyanin (Ixor®) starting 10 days before the radiation treatment and continuing until 10 days after the end of treatment compared to standard treatment alone in a small observationala type of study in which individuals are observed or certain outcomes are measured, but no attempt is made to affect the outcome (for example, no treatment is given); an example is a study that records people’s diets, but doesn’t try to alter their diets, and looks for patterns of disease or other outcomes related to different foods study⁵⁴Di Franco R, Calvanese M et al. Skin toxicity from external beam radiation therapy in breast cancer patients: protective effects of resveratrol, lycopene, vitamin C and anthocianin (Ixor®). Radiation Oncology. 2012 Jan 30;7:12.

• No evidence of an effect on risk of cancer as a whole during 9 years of follow up among people without cancer at baseline with the highest levels of urinary resveratrol from diet compared to the lowest in a mid-sized observationala type of study in which individuals are observed or certain outcomes are measured, but no attempt is made to affect the outcome (for example, no treatment is given); an example is a study that records people’s diets, but doesn’t try to alter their diets, and looks for patterns of disease or other outcomes related to different foods study⁵⁵Semba RD, Ferrucci L et al. Resveratrol levels and all-cause mortality in older community-dwelling adults. JAMA Internal Medicine. 2014 Jul;174(7):1077-84.

• A lower marker of cancer development (RASSF-1a methylation) but no evidence of an effect on other markers (p16, APC, or CCND2 methylation) among women at increased breast cancer risk treated with 5 or 50 mg trans-resveratrol twice a day for 12 weeks and achieving higher levels of trans-resveratrol and resveratrol-glucuronide in serum compared to lower levels in a small RCTrandomized controlled trial, a study design in which people are randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group to compare the outcomes from different treatments; an RCT is considered a strong design for determining a therapy’s effects⁵⁶Zhu W, Qin W et al. Trans-resveratrol alters mammary promoter hypermethylation in women at increased risk for breast cancer. Nutrition and Cancer. 2012 Apr;64(3):393-400.

Preliminary evidence of lower vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF1) among people with polycystic ovary syndrome or lymphangioleiomyomatosis (a rare lung disease) treated with resveratrol

• Lower expression of genes related to VEGF and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF1) among people with polycystic ovary syndrome treated with 800 mg oral resveratrol a day for 40 days compared to placeboa pill, medicine, or procedure—thought to be both harmless and ineffective—prescribed for the psychological benefit to the patient or as a sham treatment in a study to allow a comparison to a therapy of interest in a small RCTrandomized controlled trial, a study design in which people are randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group to compare the outcomes from different treatments; an RCT is considered a strong design for determining a therapy’s effects⁵⁷Bahramrezaie M, Amidi F et al. Effects of resveratrol on VEGF & HIF1 genes expression in granulosa cells in the angiogenesis pathway and laboratory parameters of polycystic ovary syndrome: a triple-blind randomized clinical trial. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. 2019 Aug;36(8):1701-1712.
• Lower VEGF-D levels during treatment with sirolimus among people with lymphangioleiomyomatosis treated with 250 mg resveratrol per day and escalated every 8 weeks to maximum dose of 1,000 mg per day over 24 weeks compared to baseline in a small uncontrolled triala study in which a therapy is used, but without a comparison group against which to judge outcomes; an uncontrolled trial is considered a weak study design⁵⁸Gupta N, Zhang B et al. Safety and efficacy of combined resveratrol and sirolimus in lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Chest. 2023 May;163(5):1144-1155.

• No evidence of an effect on prostate size or circulating levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) among middle-aged men with metabolic syndrome treated with 1,000 mg resveratrol a day for 4 months compared to placeboa pill, medicine, or procedure—thought to be both harmless and ineffective—prescribed for the psychological benefit to the patient or as a sham treatment in a study to allow a comparison to a therapy of interest in a small RCTrandomized controlled trial, a study design in which people are randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group to compare the outcomes from different treatments; an RCT is considered a strong design for determining a therapy’s effects⁵⁹Kjaer TN, Ornstrup MJ et al. Resveratrol reduces the levels of circulating androgen precursors but has no effect on, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, PSA levels or prostate volume. A 4-month randomised trial in middle-aged men. Prostate. 2015 Sep;75(12):1255-63.