Health News

COVID-19 and Depression: How to Cope During the Pandemic

Every May is designated Mental Health Month as a means of raising awareness about the importance of taking care of your emotional and psychological health. The link between COVID-19 and depression is becoming more apparent, making it essential to learn how to lower your risks for depressive episodes naturally.

How are COVID-19 and Depression Linked?

Depression is always a timely issue to address, particularly because many people do not pay as much attention to their mental well-being as they should. In fact, one person out of every five will suffer from some type of mental illness in his or her lifetime, including depression, anxiety or bi-polar disorder.

The risk of depression is especially great as governments are extending lock-downs, economies are suffering and the pandemic continues to spread. All of these factors contribute to the stress that affects our mental health and, for those with a greater risk of experiencing depressive episodes, that stress can be very harmful.

The increased stress can also make people more susceptible to contracting this disease and other illnesses that can put their health at risk. We know that stress hormones compromise the functioning of the immune system, so it’s not surprising that people at a higher risk for depression also face a higher risk of contracting COVID-19.

Additionally, some people who have already been diagnosed with depression may rely on access to resources outside the home. Regular sessions with a therapist, group counseling or daily physical activity are just some of the activities that help people manage their depression. The shelter-in-place response to COVID-19 has made it impossible for many people to access these resources, leaving them to suffer more frequent, or more severe, depressive episodes.

What is Depression?

Depression is more than just a feeling of sadness, although that is one symptom of this common mood disorder. Depression also results in a loss of interest in doing activities that you normally enjoy, so even though you may not be feeling sad, you may still be suffering from a depressive episode. The condition can be brought on by a traumatic life event, such as the death of a loved one or the loss of a job, but you may not be diagnosed with depression unless the symptoms persist for an extended period of time.

The Symptoms and Signs of Depression

sadness
loss of interest in activities or hobbies
loss of appetite and/or sexual desire
unexplained weight changes
change in sleeping habits
inhibited cognitive abilities, such as a loss of concentration
fatigue
feelings of inadequacy
thoughts about death, or attempts at suicide

Causes of Depression

Due to the link between COVID-19 and depression, it’s important to know when a loved one might be suffering from depression. While they may not have been diagnosed with the condition, you can determine a greater risk for the disorder by reviewing the factors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition. Currently, this is the best we can do until the underlying cause can be discovered. These factors include:

Heredity: A history of depression in the family.
Conflict or Tragedy: Life events, such as an ongoing dispute or a death in the family.
Addiction: Substance abuse can either cause, or worsen, depressive episodes.
Underlying Medical Conditions: Sleep disorders, chronic pain or cognitive disorders can lead to depression.
Medication: Depression may be a side effect of some prescription drugs.

How Can You Alleviate Depression Naturally?

Add More Natural Herbs to Your Diet

Certain herbs that are found in nature have medicinal properties, and have been found to reduce the frequency or severity of depressive episodes. For instance, research has proven that St. John’s Wort helps boost mood by causing a greater production of serotonin, which is a “feel good” neurotransmitter in the brain.

Omega-3 fatty acids also help alleviate the symptoms of depression because they contain the two compounds (DHA and EPA) that a person with depression is often lacking. Other natural compounds to add to your diet include saffron, SAM-e (S-adenosylmethionine), and folate.

Take a Daily Supplement

Another possibility is to take a daily vitamin or supplement that’s engineered to support optimum mental health. Many of these types of supplements contain 5-HTP and tryptophan. These compounds are important, because they’re precursors to serotonin, and can promote the production of more of this important neurotransmitter. Certain studies have found that taking a supplement containing quick-release 5-HTP and timed-release tryptophan could help support a healthy mood.

Get More Exercise

Raising the levels of serotonin in the brain is essential for alleviating the symptoms of depression, and getting more exercise is one of the best ways of doing that. As you work out, your brain will produce those good feelings that your brain relies upon to regulate mood. While 30 minutes of exercise per day is recommended, more physical activity will help the brain release more serotonin.

Ditch the Caffeine

When talking about addiction, people often overlook their caffeine habit. Unfortunately, caffeine can interfere with your brain’s ability to naturally regulate your mood, while also affecting sleep patterns. If you can’t eliminate caffeine from your routine, limit its consumption to the early morning hours.

Overall, living a healthier lifestyle and cutting out things like sugar, tobacco and alcohol, will help you feel better. This can go a long way towards helping your brain regulate your mood naturally. If you have made these changes in your life and you’re still experiencing depressive episodes, you should contact a mental health professional immediately.

The Amazing Health Benefits of Bitter Melon

May 13 by Ewcopywriting

Bitter melon is a little-known fruit that looks very similar to the cucumber and zucchini, which is because it comes from the same family of plants. While each type of food offers some health benefits, bitter melon may surpass its relatives in what it can do for the human body. Among the vast health benefits of bitter melon, recent research finds that this plant food may promote healthy cell growth, helping to protect against the spread of cancer.

What is Bitter Melon?

Originating in South India, bitter melon was first imported by China in the 1300s and, as it gained popularity, was highly exported to Africa and parts of the Caribbean. The food is particularly bitter, which is how it gets its name, and for that reason has become a staple food in Asian cuisine.

It’s long been known that bitter melon is good for human health, particularly because it’s low in calories. At just 20 calories per cup, you can satisfy hunger cravings without filling up on large amounts of calories. Additionally, bitter melon is packed with vitamins and nutrients. Some of the nutritional benefits it provides includes significant servings of vitamins A, B6, C and D. Additionally, it’s packed with calcium, iron and magnesium.

Beyond these essential nutrients, research has found that bitter melon may be responsible for helping us guard against common health conditions that can affect longevity and overall quality of life. For instance, some recent research has found that bitter melon may encourage healthy cell growth, helping to protect against the spread of certain types of cancer.

How Does Bitter Melon Promote Healthy Cell Growth?

A study conducted at Missouri’s Saint Louis University used mice to determine how bitter melon affected the development and spread of cancerous tumors. In the first stage of the study, bitter melon extract was injected into various types of cancer cells, including those from breast and prostate cancer subjects. In this initial part of the research, it was found that the extract seemed to prevent the spread of cancer cells, but Professor Ratna Ray, who headed the project, wanted to confirm those findings.

Using laboratory mice with tongue cancer, the research team looked to see how and why bitter melon appeared to discourage the spread of cancerous cells. In uninterrupted conditions, the body allows fat and glucose to feed cancer cells, which helps them grow and multiply. However, once the bitter melon extract was introduced into the cancer cells, those cells were no longer able to draw nourishment from that process. As a result, cancer cells were unable to continue to spread.

The results were similar in other types of animal testing, showing that the bitter melon extract limited cancer growth by nearly 50 percent in all studies. Additionally, the extract was able to kill the cancer cells to which it was exposed in some of the tests.

While these results are promising, Professor Ray says results in human subjects may differ. She hopes to duplicate the findings in human cancer patients to prove that bitter melon can be effective in promoting healthy cell growth and discouraging the spread of various types of cancer. In the meantime, bitter melon is still a healthy food and can benefit anyone who adds it to their diet. In fact, there are many more health benefits of bitter melon; some of them are listed below.

Additional Health Benefits of Bitter Melon

Helps Manage Blood Sugar Levels

In a 90-day study, researchers monitored the blood sugar levels for 24 adults, who were administered daily doses of bitter melon extract. They found that the 2,000 mg daily dose of bitter melon was sufficient to lower blood sugar levels and keep hemoglobin A1c regulated. Hemoglobin A1c is used to test the glucose levels in diabetics.

In a similar study, but with 40 participants, the same amount of bitter melon was helpful in moderating blood sugar levels. More importantly, the researchers in this study found that the bitter melon extract decreased the amount of fructosamine. Lower fructosamine meant subjects exhibited better regulated blood sugar over a longer period of time.

Boosts Heart Health

An individual with high cholesterol will develop the buildup of plaque in their blood vessels, which can interfere with the functioning of the heart. Since slower blood flow forces the heart to work harder, the risk of heart failure is increased.

In a study on bitter melon extract, researchers found that the fruit helped reduce cholesterol levels in mice. As a result, heart health was improved, and the risk of heart failure was reduced. In a related study, researchers noted that the amount of bitter melon administered correlated to the amount of cholesterol in the blood, meaning greater amounts of bitter melon reduced cholesterol levels by that much more.

Helps Weight Loss

Finally, bitter melon can help you maintain a healthy weight in two ways. As previously mentioned, it’s a low-calorie food, so you can eat more of it without ingesting a high amount of calories. Additionally, each one-cup serving contains two grams of fiber. Since the digestive system takes longer to process fiber, foods that are high in fiber help us to manager hunger and appetite. This ensures you’ll eat less, so your body will burn more stored fat throughout the day.

There’s also research that suggests bitter melon is effective in helping the body burn more belly fat. Subjects in one study were given a daily dose of 4.8 grams of bitter melon extract. They lost about 0.5 inches, or 1.3 cm, of their stomach circumference over a seven week trial period.

Even as research continues to discover the benefits that bitter melon provides, it’s already clear that this fruit is beneficial to human health. Taking a supplement that contains bitter melon can help you stay healthier, and may protect cellular health and heart health, help you to maintain a healthy weight, and help maintain healthy blood sugar levels. While it shouldn’t be viewed as a cure in itself, it can help you better control your health by possibly reducing risks to your overall health.

Natural Ways to Support Mental Health During Mental Health Month

May 06 by Ewcopywriting

In the United States alone, one out of five adults suffers from some type of mental illness, although countless others go undiagnosed. In fact, many people ignore their mental health until theyy develop a serious condition that affects their day-to-day lives. May is Mental Health Month, making this a perfect time to learn about natural ways to ensure you remain mentally fit and healthy.

Why is Mental Health Month So Important?

Many people tend to ignore their mental health until they develop a noticeable problem that begins to affect their daily lives. Today, more than 10 million adults in the U.S. suffer from depression or some other type of mental illness. Acknowledging that many of these conditions are preventable, mental health professionals have collaborated on creating a month devoted to the proper care of the mind.

Mental Health Month was created to raise awareness of the issues that can affect mental health. While it is important to help people learn more about the conditions that can affect their mental health, this month is also intended to show how you can keep your mind healthier. By employing practices that strengthen cognitive abilities and protect emotional health, the risks of developing depression, anxiety and many other mental disorders can be minimized.

The Global Pandemic’s Affect on Mental Health

Currently, millions across the nation are facing mental health challenges as a result of social isolation and shelter-in-place orders. Adding to the stress caused by worrying about the coronavirus pandemic, people are also facing the dangers that isolation poses to our emotional and psychological health. The problem is worsened by the fact that many of the activities we employ to keep our minds healthy, such as socializing or hitting the gym, are now prohibited.

Depression, in particular, is a significant mental health problem, affecting more than 264 million people around the world. Even though we’re all facing lock-downs that complicate the issue, it’s still important to engage in activities that help elevate mood. Studies have found that by boosting your mood, depressive episodes become less likely to occur.

Engaging in Mood-Elevating Activities Boosts Mental Health

A study conducted at the United Kingdom’s University of Oxford looked at how mood-regulating activities affected 58,328 test subjects. They divided the participants into a low-mood group and a high-mood group. The researchers found that engaging in mood-regulating activities had a noticeable effect on the mental states of subjects in both groups. Specifically, engaging in activities designed to boost mood helped reduce the chances that the individuals would suffer depressive episodes. Those who did not engage in mood-elevating activities experienced more frequent and more severe depressive episodes.

The goal of the researchers is to find a more effective means of treating depression, since medication only works with about half of all patients. The findings in this study suggest that depressive episodes can be prevented through activities that stimulate positive moods and feelings.

This type of solution will require people to take a more active role in their mental health care, and patients will have to recognize when they’re at risk for suffering from a depressive episode. Once these conditions are recognized, they can engage in activities that they know will boost their moods. In this way, they may be able to manage their mental health without having to rely on medication that may not really help.

Take Steps to Protect Your Mental Health Every Day

Get More Physical Activity

In many cities, fitness centers are closed and public recreation is restricted, especially for those who don’t wear face masks. This doesn’t mean you can’t get the exercise that’s essential for naturally maintaining your mental health. You can lift free weights at home, jump rope or run in place as you watch TV. You can also wear a bandanna or scarf over your face when jogging or bicycling by yourself.

Step Outside

Even though you’re abiding by the rules of a lock-down, you should still step outside for 30 minutes to an hour each day. Staying locked up in your home will compel you to breathe in the same stale air, which will contain more carbon dioxide as you exhale each breath. Studies have proven that getting outside and breathing fresh air improves mood, cognitive abilities and reduces the risks of depressive episodes. You don’t have to do anything. Just go outside and sit on your porch, or rest under a tree.

Take a Dietary Supplement

Taking a dietary supplement that is engineered to support healthy mood can help you to manage your mental health. Research has shown that certain preparations of 5-HTP and tryptophan, which are both active compounds that are precursors to the mood-boosting hormone serotonin, can help to maintain a healthy mood.

It’s not possible to supplement effectively with serotonin, as it does not cross the blood-brain barrier. However, unlike serotonin, 5-HTP can cross the blood-brain barrier. Once there, it promotes more serotonin production in the brain, so mood is enhanced. These compounds both work to give the brain the materials it needs to produce healthy levels of serotonin.

Meditate

Even if you have never considered meditation in the past, it’s a good practice to pick up. It provides you with an opportunity to relax and step away from your worries for just a few minutes. Typically, you should start out by meditating for just five minutes and gradually work your way up to 30- or 60-minute sessions. There are plenty of videos online that demonstrate proper meditation techniques, or you can listen to a guided meditation video. Any method you choose will be effective in helping you reduce stress and boost your mood.

Is Resveratrol Responsible for the Health Benefits of Red Wine?

Apr 30 by Ewcopywriting

While there are many proven health benefits of red wine, the majority can be attributed to one specific compound found in the grapes used to make the wine. This plant constituent is called resveratrol, and it’s the compound that helps give color to the skin of red grapes. It also helps protect grapes from fungal infections, droughts, extreme sun exposure and other environmental threats. While the resveratrol in red grapes helps the plant thrive in adverse environmental conditions, the protections it provides are not restricted to plant life.

Resveratrol: A Potent Antioxidant

Aside from the protective role it plays in grape plants, resveratrol contains antioxidants that are also extremely beneficial to human health. The high content of resveratrol in red wine delivers powerful antioxidants into the blood supply, which help to protect against free radicals in the body.

Free radicals are molecules that oxidize the cells throughout the body, making them more susceptible to damage and infection. The number of free radicals rises during times of stress and when an individual suffers from chronic inflammation, causing an increase in the risks of developing obesity, metabolic syndrome, cancer and other disorders. However, the antioxidants that resveratrol provides help to destabilize free radicals and eliminate their ability to negatively affect other molecules throughout the body.

Antioxidants protect us from free radicals in other ways as well. By allowing free radicals to oxidize the antioxidants themselves, the free radicals are discouraged from going after the healthy cells in the body. This reduces the overall number of free radicals circulating in the body, helping to decrease the risk of certain illnesses.

Resveratrol is one of the best compounds from which to derive antioxidant support because the body is able to absorb it with little difficulty. This plant constituent is also very active, which means its antioxidant power is readily available for use. So, in addition to being beneficial once introduced into the body, resveratrol makes it easier for the body to absorb antioxidants. This process allows resveratrol to promote several specific health benefits, such as those listed below.

What Are the Health Benefits of Red Wine?

Heart Health

There have been several studies over the years that have established a link between drinking red wine in moderation and exhibiting better heart health. In particular, a study conducted last year found that drinking red wine could reduce the risks of developing coronary heart disease, which is a condition that’s responsible for the most U.S. deaths. To achieve these benefits without experiencing the negative effects that alcohol can bring, men should limit themselves to two glasses of red wine per day, while women should only drink one glass daily.

Gut Health

The gut microbiome is a community of trillions of microorganisms that help the body function. This community relies on the introduction of a diverse selection of bacteria, derived from natural sources. The resveratrol and other compounds found in red wine act as prebiotics, which the gut uses to promote a more varied array of helpful bacteria. While research concerning the effects of red wine on the gut microbiome continue, current findings suggest the prebiotics red wine provides are helpful in maintaining a healthy gut.

Type 2 Diabetes

While drinking other types of alcoholic beverages may actually pose a greater risk to those suffering from type 2 diabetes, drinking red wine may be helpful. In a 2015 study, subjects who drank red wine exhibited lower blood sugar levels, which researchers attributed to the ethanol in the wine. They believe the ethanol and the natural compounds in the red grapes used to make the wine worked together to improve the metabolism of the subjects.

Hypertension

One of the more commonly known benefits of red wine is that drinking it in moderation can help to lower blood pressure. It does this by increasing the level of HDL, or good cholesterol, in the blood supply. Resveratrol contains compounds called procyanidins, which act to improve the health of blood vessels throughout the body. In addition to raising HDL levels, this helps ensure healthy blood flow throughout the blood vessels.

Post-Stroke Brain Damage

Drinking red wine after suffering a stroke can help protect against secondary brain damage. This is largely due to the fact that that the antioxidants in resveratrol help to modulate inflammation and oxidative stress, which would otherwise promote more cell death in the brain.

Vision Loss

As we get older, we become more susceptible to conditions that can affect our ability to see well. Partial or complete vision loss can result from glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts or macular degeneration. Since the antioxidants in red wine help to protect against oxidative stress, the inflammation that increases the risks of developing these conditions is also reduced. While it’s necessary to take other steps to protect your vision, moderate red wine consumption can also help.

Cancer

While excessive alcohol consumption can cause a broad range of health problems, including raising the risks of certain types of cancer, the moderate consumption of red wine can be beneficial. Observational studies have found that women who moderately consume red wine on a regular basis are less likely to develop breast cancer. Researchers believe this is because the wine reduces estrogen levels, while increasing testosterone in older women. While research is ongoing, the occasional glass of red wine may help protect against more types of cancer.

6 Ways to Get Better Sleep for a Strong Immune System

Apr 27 by Ewcopywriting

Even though research into the link between sleep and the immune system is still in its early phase, we have already learned that there is definitely an important correlation. While sleep will benefit your immune system, stress and other factors can still keep you from getting enough rest. These six proven tips can help you get better sleep.

How Are Sleep And Immunity Related?

Most people know that they’re more likely to get sick when they’re not well rested, but research into this area has uncovered some biological reasons for that link. In one study, researchers compared the immune system’s T cells in well-rested subjects to the T cells of subjects who were prohibited from sleeping. They found fewer T cells present in the blood of well-rested subjects, which led them to believe the resting state provides an opportunity for the T cells to be sent to the lymph nodes. Once there, the T cells are assigned to a specific immune response function to help fight off disease or infection.

Research has also found that people who do get enough rest have a higher quantity of memory T cells, which are cells that have the capability of recognizing illnesses that the individual has had previously. Since the T cells are familiar with specific illnesses, they already know how to fight and eliminate those threats to the individual’s health.

Lack of Sleep Harms Your Health in Other Ways

A lack of quality sleep leads to a number of specific health problems as well. One example is the link between insufficient sleep and an increased risk for obesity. During sleep, the body produces a hormone called leptin, which reduces hunger cravings and helps the body burn stored fat for energy. This is why people who don’t sleep well also tend to overeat and struggle with losing fat.

The risk of obesity goes hand in hand with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, because more stored fat inhibits the body’s ability to produce enough insulin to push fat to the cells. Additionally, insufficient sleep causes the body to produce cortisol, a stress hormone. One of the effects that cortisol has on the body is to make the cells more resistant to insulin, which contributes to the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Research has also found that inadequate sleep can increase the risk of heart disease. In one study, a research team examined the heart health of 4,000 subjects with no previous heart conditions. The subjects who were deprived of sleep exhibited a more pronounced build-up of arterial plaque than those who were permitted to get seven hours of quality sleep each night. These results were consistent, regardless of age, gender, smoking and dietary habits.

What Can You Do to Get Better Sleep?

Many researchers believe there are more undiscovered health benefits that result when we get better sleep. While one night of poor sleep may not have a lasting impact on your health, consistently experiencing sleep difficulties will negatively impact you in a variety of ways. These tips for getting better sleep can help you resolve the difficulties you’re having, so you’ll fall asleep faster and sleep through the night.

Reduce Caffeine Intake

People expose themselves to stimulants consistently throughout the day even more so than they may realize. While you may know that caffeine is a stimulant, you may not know that it can take up to six hours to leave your system. Having your last cup of coffee, tea or soda in the early afternoon hours will provide enough time for the stimulant to dissipate so you can get the rest you need.

Shut Down Early

The screens on electronic devices give off a blue light that interferes with the brain’s circadian rhythm, or biological clock. The light tricks the brain into thinking it’s still daytime, so the release of the hormone that cause sleepiness, melatonin, is inhibited. Sleep researchers recommend shutting down computers and mobile devices at least one hour before bedtime. This will give your brain the time it needs to adjust to the transition from day into night.

Check Your Bedding

The comfort of your sleeping quarters cannot be underestimated when it comes to getting enough quality sleep. A poor mattress, scratchy blankets or worn pillows can interfere with your ability to get to sleep and stay asleep. You can cut corners in any other area of your home’s furnishings, but the bedroom is one place where you should pamper yourself. You’ll be amazed by the difference that a new mattress or softer sheets can provide.

Set the Mood

Your environment is just as important as your bedding when it comes to creating a sleep-friendly atmosphere. If you notice excess lighting spilling into your bedroom from a window or from the corridor, it may be helpful to wear a sleep mask. Similarly, wearing earplugs, or noise-canceling earmuffs, to bed can keep noises from waking you in the night.

You may also find that your room is too warm. Researchers have learned that people sleep better in cooler temperatures, so they recommend setting the thermostat at 60 to 65 degrees at night if possible.

Take Time to Relax

It can also be helpful to find a relaxing hobby to engage in just before bed. Once you power down your electronic devices, use that hour to take a relaxing bath or practice yoga. You can listen to soothing music while you engage in these activities to help your mind get into a more relaxed state. If you don’t feel relaxed by practicing yoga, you can engage in another form of exercise, or find a hobby that relaxes you, such as reading a good book. The activities you choose are up to you as long as you find them relaxing.

Take a Melatonin Supplement

If all else fails, it could be helpful to take a high-quality melatonin supplement before bedtime. Studies have shown that supplementing with melatonin can help people with insomnia to fall asleep faster. Taking a pulsatile-release melatonin formula will help you to fall asleep more quickly and promote a restful sleep throughout the night.

New Study Bolsters Claim That Resveratrol Supports Healthy Aging

Apr 23 by Ewcopywriting

Multiple research studies have now confirmed that the compound resveratrol supports healthy aging by protecting the body from a host of potential issues. Read on for more information about what resveratrol is, how you can incorporate this powerful naturally-occurring compound into your diet and how it can help you to lead a healthier and longer life.

What is Reservatrol?

Reservatrol is found naturally in red grapes, red wine, peanuts, pistachios, blueberries, raspberries and dark chocolate. The compound is most highly concentrated in the skin of red grapes. This polyphenol antioxidant is an antimicrobial compound produced by plants to protect against environmental challenges such as harsh climate changes and too much dangerous ultraviolet light. In recent years, researchers have discovered promising ways that resveratrol may slow down the aging process, as it offers the body a multitude of protections.

Studies Discover Resveratrol Supports Healthy Aging

Research from two major studies support the belief that resveratrol supports healthy aging. A study in 2013 by Harvard Medical School revealed that resveratrol stimulates the production of SIRT1. This serum serves a powerful function by blocking diseases as it accelerates the cell’s natural energy centers.

While most drugs strive to slow or block the production of SIR1, resveratrol actually speeds it up. This enhanced SIR1 production leads to the anti-aging benefits attributed to resveratrol. More recently, a study out of London’s King’s College found that resveratrol in red wine will protect the health of the gut as well.

The Benefits of Resveratrol

It is easy to see how resveratrol could potentially be a vital part of your anti-aging efforts when you examine all of its vast health benefits in detail.

Cognitive Benefits

New research is now showing encouraging results in the use of resveratrol for supporting a healthy mood. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of resveratrol also show promise in fighting off age-related cognitive issues such as Alzheimer’s disease. By guarding against cognitive decline, resveratrol can be a useful addition to your diet as you age.

Gut Health

The gut protection provided by resveratrol is thought to be a result of the compound working to support a more diverse range of bacteria in the essential gut microbiome. As a result of experiencing improved gut health, the red wine drinkers in the study at London King’s College enjoyed a reduced risk of developing obesity while also lowering their overall levels of cholesterol. A healthy gut can also boost the body’s natural immunity.

Pain Relief

Resveratrol may also help to soothe minor joint pain caused by conditions such as arthritis by helping to prevent cartilage from breaking down. As the resveratrol protects against inflammation in the body, joints are less likely to experience damage.

Diabetes Research

Reservatrol may also help protect against type 2 diabetes by increasing insulin sensitivity. In addition, those with diabetes may see benefits from resveratrol, as it helps the body to metabolize glucose more effectively by activating the AMPK protein while also decreasing inflammation and protecting against oxidative stress. Taken together, these benefits can significantly alter the way the body is able to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

Overall Health Advantages

In addition to boosting a healthy gut microbiome and providing cognitive benefits, resveratrol also guards against a myriad of afflictions that plague people as they age. By increasing the production of nitric oxide, resveratrol may also be helpful in helping to maintain blood pressure within normal ranges and protecting heart health. While there is not as much research on this particular benefit yet, many researchers are hopeful that resveratrol may have a place in helping to support cellular health by promoting healthy cell growth.

What the Study Results Mean

With so many benefits spread across many facets of physical and mental health, resveratrol deserves a prominent spot in everyone’s daily diet. Because many Western diets do not naturally include this compound, you may have to be purposeful about consuming it; you can find a high-quality resveratrol supplement online or at your local health food store.

Be warned that health experts agree that too much resveratrol is not necessarily a good thing. While it is a good idea to be intentional about consuming foods rich in resveratrol in order to encourage healthy aging, remember that too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. As with most things in life, moderation is key. As researchers continue to unlock more about this powerful antioxidant, there will certainly be more guidance on how to use it to potentially slow down the aging process.

Next time you raise that glass of red wine, you can do so with the knowledge that you are providing your body with proven anti-aging benefits. Being intentional about consuming resveratrol will pay significant health benefits both now and further down the road.