Intervention
Resveratrol
Last updated Sat May 30 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
What it is
Resveratrol is a stilbene phytoalexin produced by grapes, peanuts, and berries under stress. It launched the sirtuin-activating-compound (STAC) field after 2003 yeast studies suggested it activated SIRT1 and extended lifespan.
What survived from the original hype
- Yeast / worm / fly lifespan extension — replicated in some labs, not others.
- Mouse lifespan — modest effect in obese mice (high-fat diet rescue); no clear extension in lean mice.
- Human trials — metabolic improvements in some populations (obesity, diabetes); no consistent benefit in healthy adults.
The sirtuin debate
Subsequent biophysical work showed the in-vitro SIRT1 activation by resveratrol depended on the fluorophore in the assay substrate — an experimental artifact. The mechanistic story has shifted to AMPK activation as a more likely primary effect.
Wine?
A typical glass of red wine contains 0.1–0.5 mg resveratrol; you would need ~100–1000 glasses/day to reach trial doses. The cardiovascular signal in moderate-wine cohorts is not driven by resveratrol specifically.
Related entries
References
- Pollack, R. M. & Crandall, J. P. Resveratrol: therapeutic potential in type 2 diabetes mellitus and beyond. Pharmacol. Res. 110, 8–13 (2016).