Evidence explainerResveratrol
Resveratrol Benefits: Mostly Null Results in Human Trials
Resveratrol became famous through red wine and lab studies. In randomized human trials, pooled results for blood pressure, blood sugar, memory and weight are mostly null or very small.
Key takeaways
- Across 6 trials (247 people), resveratrol did not significantly lower blood pressure overall; a subgroup at 150 mg/day or more did show lower systolic pressure [1].
- In 11 trials (388 people), resveratrol did not change glucose measures in people without diabetes [2].
- Across 4 trials (226 people), resveratrol had no significant effect on memory or cognitive performance [3].
- In 28 trials, weight fell by about 0.51 kg, with no significant change in fat mass [4].
- Lipid meta-analyses disagree: one found lower total and LDL cholesterol, another found no change [5][6].
Safety at a glance
From our Resveratrol monograph. Published interactions and cautions only, each with its source.
Who should be careful
- People taking prescription medicines. Data on interactions between resveratrol and other therapies are still lacking, according to a 2020 review.[10]
- High amounts. In older adults with overweight, high amounts raised some blood markers of cardiovascular risk, according to a 2024 systematic review.[9]
- Before you start. Talk to your pharmacist or clinician before adding this supplement, especially if you take prescription medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a chronic health condition.[9]
The evidence, graded
Pulled from our monograph evidence tables. Grades follow our evidence-grading policy.
- Grade CMixedBlood pressureNo significant overall effect on systolic or diastolic pressure. In the higher-dose subgroup (150 mg/day or more), systolic pressure fell by 11.9 mmHg; meta-regression showed no dose effect.
- Grade CMixedFasting glucose, insulin and HbA1cNo significant effect on glucose measures in people without diabetes. In people with diabetes, fasting glucose, insulin, HbA1c and insulin resistance fell.
- Grade CNo effectMemory and cognitive performance; moodNo significant effect on learning, delayed recall, retention or recognition (effect sizes near zero). Two mood-scale items (vigor and fatigue) changed significantly; other mood measures did not.
Blood pressure and cholesterol
A 2015 meta-analysis of 6 trials (247 people) found no significant overall effect on systolic or diastolic pressure [1]. In a subgroup taking 150 mg/day or more, systolic pressure fell by 11.9 mmHg, but meta-regression did not find a dose effect [1].
Another 2015 meta-analysis of 10 trials found no effect on CRP or total cholesterol [6]. A 2022 dose-response meta-analysis did find lower total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL, with no change in HDL [5].
Blood sugar
In a 2014 meta-analysis of 11 trials (388 people), resveratrol had no significant effect on glucose measures in people without diabetes [2]. In people with diabetes, fasting glucose, insulin and HbA1c fell [2].
A 2020 Cochrane review limited to 3 short trials (50 adults with type 2 diabetes) found neutral effects on HbA1c and fasting glucose, with very low-certainty evidence [7]. So even the diabetes finding is unsettled.
Memory and weight
A 2018 meta-analysis of 4 trials (226 individuals) found no significant effect on memory or cognitive performance; two mood-scale items changed and others did not [3].
A 2019 meta-analysis of 28 trials found weight fell by 0.51 kg and waist by 0.79 cm, with no significant change in fat mass [4].
One reason results may be weak
In a multiple-dose study, trans-resveratrol reached relatively low blood levels even at high doses given six times a day, with high person-to-person variation [8]. For the safety picture, read is resveratrol safe.
Quick answers
Is resveratrol good for skin?
None of the trials in our sources measured skin outcomes from resveratrol supplements [1][3].
Does resveratrol help weight loss?
Only slightly: about 0.51 kg in pooled trials, with no significant change in fat mass [4].
Does resveratrol work better with NR?
In a 6-month trial in people with peripheral artery disease, adding resveratrol did not add benefit to nicotinamide riboside for walking distance [9].
Keep reading
Full monographs
Related articles
- Is Resveratrol Safe? Mild Side Effects in Trials, Open Questions on Interactions
- 400 IU of Vitamin E Is Either 268 mg or 180 mg. The "d" or "dl" on the Label Decides
- Alpha-GPC vs Choline Bitartrate: Blood Choline Rose the Same, but One Detail Differed
- B12 After 50 and on Metformin: Why Levels Drop, and What the Trials Say About Fixing Them
Browse the full Supplement & Nutrient Encyclopedia or all supplement articles.
References
- [1]Effect of resveratrol on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clin Nutr, 2015.
- [2]Effect of resveratrol on glucose control and insulin sensitivity: a meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr, 2014.
- [3]Effect of resveratrol on cognitive and memory performance and mood: A meta-analysis of 225 patients. Pharmacol Res, 2018.
- [4]Resveratrol supplementation significantly influences obesity measures: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Obes Rev, 2019.
- [5]The Effect of Resveratrol on Blood Lipid Profile: A Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients, 2022.
- [6]Lack of efficacy of resveratrol on C-reactive protein and selected cardiovascular risk factors--Results from a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Int J Cardiol, 2015.
- [7]Resveratrol for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2020.
- [8]Pharmacokinetic and safety profile of trans-resveratrol in a rising multiple-dose study in healthy volunteers. Mol Nutr Food Res, 2009.
- [9]Nicotinamide riboside for peripheral artery disease: the NICE randomized clinical trial. Nat Commun, 2024.