Resveratrol has been known to play a significant role in disease prevention, especially in the area of diabetes and cancers.

Some new studies support earlier research showing this antioxidant, found in red wine and grapes, can help manage blood sugars when taken along with medications to lower blood sugars. The results were quite astounding in the latest study at the University of Medical Sciences by Dr. Ali Movahed.

Sixty six people with Type 2 diabetes were given either 500 mg of resveratrol twice daily or placebos for 45 days. Fasting blood sugar levels decreased from an average of 175 mg/dl to 140 mg/dl and fasting insulin levels declined by about half. Also, HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin)  decreased from 8.6% to 7.6% which is significant. The people taking resveratrol had less insulin resistance and elevated high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, whereas those taking placebos had higher fasting blood sugars and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels.

Resveratrol has received attention because it increases the activity of the Sirt 1 gene which triggers certain proteins that prompts the cells to repair damage and rejuvenate themselves. Scientists say you would have to drink 100 bottles of wine each day to get the benefits of these genes. Supplements are certainly easier and safer. 

Reference: Movahed A. Nabipour I. Louis XI, etal. Antihyperglycemic effects of short term resveratrol supplementation in type 2 diabetic patients. Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013.