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Also known as trans-Resveratrol
Polyphenol from grape skins and Japanese knotweed, famous for extending lifespan in yeast and mice. It has been tested in many human trials without convincing clinical benefit. Umbrella reviews rate its effects on blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure as trivial or very low certainty, and a meta-analysis of human brain and mood trials found the animal results are not replicated in people.
We link to relevant studies and leave interpretation to you and your healthcare professional.
The large figures are what the studies reported for each thing they measured. Open a card for every result.
Associated conditions and community-reported outcomes, wrapped together on one page. Aggregates appear only once enough reports arrive.
How this compound is sold in the UK, and where our readers typically find it.
Retailer search links — we may earn commission on purchases at no cost to you. Commission never affects our evidence ratings.
No figure given: Blood pressure (no clear benefit); Brain volume (no clear benefit); Mood (no clear benefit); Brain volume loss (possible harm); Alzheimer's protein Aβ40 (blood) (unclear); Alzheimer's protein Aβ40 (spinal fluid) (unclear).
No figure given: Blood sugar control (general) (unclear); Triglycerides (blood fats) (no clear benefit); 'Bad' (LDL) cholesterol (reported a benefit); 'Good' (HDL) cholesterol (no clear benefit); Total cholesterol (no clear benefit); Insulin (unclear).
Every result5 of 9 results reported a benefit
2 studies, including a review of trials
An umbrella review pooling the earlier meta-analyses found no clear change in LDL cholesterol; one dose-response review reported a small fall.
No figure given: Blood fats (general) (no clear benefit).
1 more measure and every resultNo figure given: Systolic blood pressure (high-dose and diabetic subgroups) (reported a benefit); Adhesion molecule VCAM-1 (no clear benefit); Clot-dissolving inhibitor (PAI-1) (no clear benefit); Fibrinogen (clotting protein) (no clear benefit).
2 more measures and every resultAudited published research for Resveratrol by condition. Drill into a pair page for the full breakdown.
Each bar counts published studies for this compound in that condition.
Where people report using it and what trials suggest
Common claims the trials do not support
Studied for decades with no convincing clinical benefit in humans: effects on blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure and thinking are small, inconsistent or very low certainty, despite striking animal results.
Safety notes: High doses (1-2 g a day) commonly cause nausea, diarrhoea and weight loss. Check with a pharmacist if you take prescription medicines.
Evidence grades reflect study quality and consistency, not marketing claims.
Summaries of published trial results for this compound, grouped by condition. In these tables every number is exactly as the researchers published it. The headline figures above show a simple average where several studies measured the same thing in the same unit, and say so; nothing else is calculated or converted.
How to read this table
In short: benefit is what was observed; evidence is how much you should trust the observation. A “Benefit seen” tag on a weak study counts for far less than the same tag on a meta-analysis.
| Outcome measured | What trials found | Effect size | People studied | Duration | Type of evidence | Study |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiometabolic risk factors in type 2 diabetes (effects trivial or very low-to-low certainty) | Resveratrol supplementation showed an unclear effect on Cardiometabolic risk factors in type 2 diabetes (effects trivial or very low-to-low certainty) with no comparator reported.Unclear | no number reported | — | — | Meta-analysis · 2021 | PMID 34320173 |
| glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), short-term trials | Resveratrol supplementation improved glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), short-term trials (-1.05%; 95% CI: -2.09%, -0.02%; n = 6) with no comparator reported (short term (<12 wk)). (95% CI: -2.09%, -0.02%; n = 6)Benefit seen | -1.05% | — | short term (<12 wk) | Meta-analysis · 2021 | PMID 34320173 |
| Adverse events | Resveratrol did not significantly improve Adverse events compared with placebo in 50 (four weeks to five weeks).No clear benefit | no number reported | 50 | four weeks to five weeks | Meta-analysis · 2020 | PMID 31978258 |
| Fasting blood glucose levels | Resveratrol did not significantly improve Fasting blood glucose levels (2 mg/dL; -2 to 7; P = 0.29) compared with placebo in 31 (four weeks to five weeks). (P = 0.29)No clear benefit | 2 mg/dL | 31 | four weeks to five weeks | Meta-analysis · 2020 | PMID 31978258 |
| HbA1c levels | Resveratrol did not significantly improve HbA1c levels (0.1%; -0.02 to 0.2; P = 0.09) compared with placebo in 31 (four weeks to five weeks). (P = 0.09)No clear benefit | 0.1% | 31 | four weeks to five weeks | Meta-analysis · 2020 | PMID 31978258 |
| Insulin resistance | Resveratrol did not significantly improve Insulin resistance (-0.35; -0.99 to 0.28; P = 0.27) compared with placebo in 36 (four weeks to five weeks). (P = 0.27)No clear benefit | -0.35 | 36 | four weeks to five weeks | Meta-analysis · 2020 | PMID 31978258 |
| fasting blood sugar | Resveratrol did not significantly improve fasting blood sugar with no comparator reported.No clear benefit | no number reported | — | — | Systematic review · 2026 | PMID 42268476 |
| glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) | Resveratrol did not significantly improve glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) with no comparator reported.No clear benefit | no number reported | — | — | Systematic review · 2026 | PMID 42268476 |
| high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) | Resveratrol did not significantly improve high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) with no comparator reported.No clear benefit | no number reported | — | — | Systematic review · 2026 | PMID 42268476 |
| homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) | Resveratrol did not significantly improve homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) with no comparator reported.No clear benefit | no number reported | — | — | Systematic review · 2026 | PMID 42268476 |
| insulin | Resveratrol showed an unclear effect on insulin with no comparator reported.Unclear | no number reported | — | — | Systematic review · 2026 | PMID 42268476 |
| low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) | Resveratrol improved low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) with no comparator reported.Benefit seen | no number reported | — | — | Systematic review · 2026 | PMID 42268476 |
| total cholesterol (TC) | Resveratrol did not significantly improve total cholesterol (TC) with no comparator reported.No clear benefit | no number reported | — | — | Systematic review · 2026 | PMID 42268476 |
| triglyceride (TG) | Resveratrol did not significantly improve triglyceride (TG) with no comparator reported.No clear benefit | no number reported | — | — | Systematic review · 2026 | PMID 42268476 |
| Outcome measured | What trials found | Effect size | People studied | Duration | Type of evidence | Study |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) (standardised mean difference) | Resveratrol did not significantly improve high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) (standardised mean difference) (0.00; 95% CI: -0.04, 0.05; p =0.92) with no comparator reported. (95% CI: -0.04, 0.05; p =0.92)No clear benefit | 0.00 | — | — | Meta-analysis · 2024 | PMID 39255906 |
| Lipid profile (weighted mean difference analysis) | Resveratrol did not significantly improve Lipid profile (weighted mean difference analysis) with no comparator reported.No clear benefit | no number reported | — | — | Meta-analysis · 2024 | PMID 39255906 |
| low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c) (standardised mean difference) | Resveratrol did not significantly improve low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c) (standardised mean difference) (-0.16 mg/dl; 95% CI: -0.40, 0.07; p =0.17) with no comparator reported. (95% CI: -0.40, 0.07; p =0.17)No clear benefit | -0.16 mg/dl | — | — | Meta-analysis · 2024 | PMID 39255906 |
| serum triglyceride (TG) (standardised mean difference) | Resveratrol improved serum triglyceride (TG) (standardised mean difference) (-0.14 mg/dl; 95% CI: -0.24, -0.03; p = 0.001) with no comparator reported. (95% CI: -0.24, -0.03; p = 0.001)Benefit seen | -0.14 mg/dl | — | — | Meta-analysis · 2024 | PMID 39255906 |
| total cholesterol (TC) (standardised mean difference) | Resveratrol improved total cholesterol (TC) (standardised mean difference) (-0.20; 95% CI: -0.31, -0.08; p= 0.001) with no comparator reported. |
| Outcome measured | What trials found | Effect size | People studied | Duration | Type of evidence | Study |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| blood pressure | Resveratrol, grape or wine did not significantly improve blood pressure compared with placebo.No clear benefit | no number reported | — | — | Meta-analysis · 2021 | PMID 33303422 |
| cognitive assessments | Resveratrol, grape or wine did not significantly improve cognitive assessments compared with placebo.No clear benefit | no number reported | — | — | Meta-analysis · 2021 | PMID 33303422 |
| grey matter volume | Resveratrol, grape or wine did not significantly improve grey matter volume compared with placebo.No clear benefit | no number reported | — | — | Meta-analysis · 2021 | PMID 33303422 |
| mood assessments | Resveratrol, grape or wine did not significantly improve mood assessments compared with placebo.No clear benefit | no number reported | — | — | Meta-analysis · 2021 | PMID 33303422 |
| delayed recognition | Resveratrol supplementation improved delayed recognition (0.39; 95% CI 0.08-0.70; I2 = 0%; P = 0.01) with no comparator reported in 166. (95% CI 0.08-0.70; I2 = 0%; P = 0.01)Benefit seen | 0.39 | 166 | — | Meta-analysis · 2018 | PMID 29596658 |
| negative mood | Resveratrol supplementation improved negative mood (-0.18; 95% CI -0.31 to -0.05; I2 = 0%; P = 0.006) with no comparator reported in 163. |
| Outcome measured | What trials found | Effect size | People studied | Duration | Type of evidence | Study |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| fibrinogen | Resveratrol supplementation did not significantly improve fibrinogen with no comparator reported.No clear benefit | no number reported | — | — | Meta-analysis · 2022 | PMID 35833325 |
| flow-mediated dilation (FMD) | Resveratrol supplementation improved flow-mediated dilation (FMD) (1.43%; 95% CI: 0.98 to 1.88, p < .001) with no comparator reported. (95% CI: 0.98 to 1.88, p < .001)Benefit seen | 1.43% | — | — | Meta-analysis · 2022 | PMID 35833325 |
| intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) | Resveratrol supplementation improved intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) (-7.09 ng/ml; 95% CI: -7.45 to -6.73, p < .001) with no comparator reported. (95% CI: -7.45 to -6.73, p < .001)Benefit seen | -7.09 ng/ml | — | — | Meta-analysis · 2022 | PMID 35833325 |
| plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) | Resveratrol supplementation did not significantly improve plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) with no comparator reported.No clear benefit | no number reported | — | — | Meta-analysis · 2022 | PMID 35833325 |
| vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) | Resveratrol supplementation did not significantly improve vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) with no comparator reported.No clear benefit | no number reported | — | — | Meta-analysis · 2022 | PMID 35833325 |
| -0.20 |
| — |
| — |
| Meta-analysis · 2024 |
| PMID 39255906 |
| high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) | Resveratrol did not significantly improve high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) with no comparator reported.No clear benefit | no number reported | — | — | Meta-analysis · 2022 | PMID 36145131 |
| low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) | Resveratrol improved low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (−5.69; 95%CI: −11.07, −0.31; p = 0.038) with no comparator reported. (95%CI: −11.07, −0.31; p = 0.038)Benefit seen | −5.69 | — | — | Meta-analysis · 2022 | PMID 36145131 |
| total cholesterol (TC) | Resveratrol improved total cholesterol (TC) (−10.28; 95%CI: −13.79, −6.76; p < 0.001) with no comparator reported. (95%CI: −13.79, −6.76; p < 0.001)Benefit seen | −10.28 | — | — | Meta-analysis · 2022 | PMID 36145131 |
| triglyceride (TG) | Resveratrol improved triglyceride (TG) (95%CI: −12.37, −4.75; p < 0.001) with no comparator reported. (95%CI: −12.37, −4.75; p < 0.001)Benefit seen | no number reported | — | — | Meta-analysis · 2022 | PMID 36145131 |
| -0.18 |
| 163 |
| — |
| Meta-analysis · 2018 |
| PMID 29596658 |
| CVR to cognitive stimuli | Resveratrol improved CVR to cognitive stimuli (d = 0.259, P = 0.032) compared with placebo in 125 (24 months). (d = 0.259, P = 0.032)Benefit seen | no number reported | 125 | 24 months | RCT · 2021 | PMID 32900519 |
| CVR to hypercapnia | Resveratrol improved CVR to hypercapnia (d = 0.307, P = 0.027) compared with placebo in 125 (24 months). (d = 0.307, P = 0.027)Benefit seen | no number reported | 125 | 24 months | RCT · 2021 | PMID 32900519 |
| Fasting insulin | Resveratrol improved Fasting insulin (d = 0.174, P = 0.025) compared with placebo in 125 (24 months). (d = 0.174, P = 0.025)Benefit seen | no number reported | 125 | 24 months | RCT · 2021 | PMID 32900519 |
| Insulin resistance index | Resveratrol improved Insulin resistance index (d = 0.102, P = 0.034) compared with placebo in 125 (24 months). (d = 0.102, P = 0.034)Benefit seen | no number reported | 125 | 24 months | RCT · 2021 | PMID 32900519 |
| Overall cognitive performance | Resveratrol improved Overall cognitive performance (33%; Cohen's d = 0.170, P = 0.005) compared with placebo in 125 (24 months). (Cohen's d = 0.170, P = 0.005)Benefit seen | 33% | 125 | 24 months | RCT · 2021 | PMID 32900519 |
| Resting mean CBFV | Resveratrol improved Resting mean CBFV (d = 0.275, P = 0.001) compared with placebo in 125 (24 months). (d = 0.275, P = 0.001)Benefit seen | no number reported | 125 | 24 months | RCT · 2021 | PMID 32900519 |
| Brain volume loss | Resveratrol showed harm (adverse effect) on Brain volume loss compared with placebo in 119 (52 weeks).Possible harm | no number reported | 119 | 52 weeks | RCT · 2015 | PMID 26362286 |
| CSF Aβ40 levels | Resveratrol showed an unclear effect on CSF Aβ40 levels compared with placebo in 119 (52 weeks).Unclear | no number reported | 119 | 52 weeks | RCT · 2015 | PMID 26362286 |
| plasma Aβ40 levels | Resveratrol showed an unclear effect on plasma Aβ40 levels compared with placebo in 119 (52 weeks).Unclear | no number reported | 119 | 52 weeks | RCT · 2015 | PMID 26362286 |
| Diastolic blood pressure | Resveratrol did not significantly improve Diastolic blood pressure (95% CI:(-2.2, 1.3) mmHg; p=0.613) with no comparator reported. (95% CI:(-2.2, 1.3) mmHg; p=0.613)No clear benefit | no number reported | — | — | Meta-analysis · 2019 | PMID 29359958 |
| Mean arterial pressure | Resveratrol did not significantly improve Mean arterial pressure (95% CI:(-2.8, 0.1) mmHg; p=0.070) with no comparator reported. (95% CI:(-2.8, 0.1) mmHg; p=0.070)No clear benefit | no number reported | — | — | Meta-analysis · 2019 | PMID 29359958 |
| Systolic blood pressure | Resveratrol did not significantly improve Systolic blood pressure (95% CI:(-5.5, 0.6) mmHg; p=0.116) with no comparator reported. (95% CI:(-5.5, 0.6) mmHg; p=0.116)No clear benefit | no number reported | — | — | Meta-analysis · 2019 | PMID 29359958 |
| Systolic blood pressure, high-dose (300 mg/day or more) and diabetic subgroups | Resveratrol improved Systolic blood pressure, high-dose (300 mg/day or more) and diabetic subgroups with no comparator reported.Benefit seen | no number reported | — | — | Meta-analysis · 2019 | PMID 29359958 |