New research shows that resveratrol (an antioxidant abundant in grape skin) may help build up the brain's resistance to stroke.
In tests on animals, scientists discovered that resveratrol helped boost levels of heme oxygenase (an enzyme known to protect brain cells from harm). After suffering a stroke, resveratrol-fed lab mice showed significantly less brain damage than animals that had not been given resveratrol.
It's too soon to recommend taking resveratrol supplements in order to enhance brain health, according to the study's authors. Indeed, most of the research on resveratrol's health effects has been carried out in experiments on animals and in test tubes. Findings from those studies suggest that resveratrol may show promise in protection against breast cancer, heart disease, inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases.
If you'd like to increase your resveratrol intake without using supplements, try including more resveratrol-rich foods (such as grapes, cranberry, and pomegranate) in your diet.
