%20copy.jpg?ssl=1 "Experts Say This Powerhouse Antioxidant Can Slow Aging")
Experts Say This Powerhouse Antioxidant Can Slow Aging
If you’ve heard about the benefits of resveratrol, you know it’s a powerhouse antioxidant you want more of; but we may not be getting enough naturally. The best resveratrol supplement, it turns out, can be a more precise way to get the amount necessary to make a clinical difference. “Many consumers believe that an effective dose of resveratrol can be achieved through diet or by drinking red wine,” says board certified cardiologist and founder of Heart-Tech Health Suzanne Steinbaum, DO, MD. “But to reach a typical supplemental dose of resveratrol—about 250 mg—would require consuming over 1,000 glasses of red wine.”
Vogue’s Favorite Resveratrol Supplements
The good news is that the best resveratrol supplements can help fill in any nutritional gaps so you can reap the benefits. Resveratrol isn’t just a powerhouse antioxidant in skincare; it’s also the key to supercharging your defenses against free radicals responsible for cellular aging throughout the body. It’s often associated with giving red wine its heart-healthy benefits—commonly referred to as the French paradox—resveratrol has gained a lot of attention for its promising effects that support health through multiple biological pathways. “Research indicates that it activates sirtuins and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)—often referred to as the body’s metabolic master switch,” explains Dr. Steinbaum. “This activation enhances fatty acid oxidation, improves mitochondrial function, and increases NAD+ levels which collectively support heart, brain, immune, and metabolic health, as well as a balanced inflammatory response.” Plus, while more extensive trials are needed, a small, promising new study from the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai unveiled that the combination of resveratrol and copper supplements reduced the aggressiveness of glioblastoma brain tumors in patients. The study shows that resveratrol can act as a DNA-damaging agent by creating an oxidative environment that generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) when paired with copper ions—a breakthrough find that could revolutionize cancer treatment in the future.
While we do love a glass of red wine, we spoke to a top cardiologist and registered dietitian to whittle down everything you need to know about resveratrol, including the five best resveratrol supplements to consider.
In This Story:
Best Resveratrol Supplement Overall: Pure Encapsulations Resveratrol EXTRA
- Why We Love It: Many professional nutritionists, dietitians, and doctors recommend Pure because of their rigorous quality standards, clean formulations, and commitment to third-party testing. Trans-resveratrol from Japanese knotweed is the star ingredient in this powerful capsule—but it also has added support from red wine grape concentrate and grape seed extract. “High-quality resveratrol supplements often combine a concentrated extract from Japanese knotweed with organic grape and muscadine grape sources,” says Dr. Steinbaum. “This provides a broader and more complete spectrum of beneficial polyphenols.” Most of all, it focuses on the bioactive form of resveratrol. “The most important factor in choosing a resveratrol supplement is ensuring that resveratrol is delivered in its active form,” says Dr. Steinbaum. “The product label should clearly state that it contains 100% trans-resveratrol, which is the biologically active isomer.”
- Key Ingredients: Trans-resveratrol from Japanese knotweed, red wine grape extract, grape (seed) extract
- Form: Capsule
- Dose: 1 capsule
Best Resveratrol Supplement With NR: Thorne ResveraCel
- Why We Love It: A top pick of registered dietitian and founder of Real Nutrition Amy Shapiro,MS, RD, CND, you’ll find ingredients like nicotinamide riboside, quercetin phytosomes, and trans-resveratrol in this high-quality formula. If you’ve heard all about the buzz about NAD+, you may remember that NR is the precursor to NAD+, which can help stimulate NAD+ production. “I like this option because it pairs resveratrol with nicotinamide riboside (NR), supporting cellular energy and aging pathways,” says Shapiro. “And Thorne offers well researched, clinical-grade formulas.” Thorne is also rigorously tested and has worked with independent researchers from places like Mayo Clinic and the National Institutes of Health, to ensure its products are high-performance, safe, and efficacious.
- Key Ingredients: Nicotinamide riboside hydrogen malate, quercetin phytosome, trans-resveratrol
- Form: Capsule
- Dose: 2 capsules
Best Resveratrol Supplement For Cardiovascular Health: Naomi JItalian Citrus Bergamot + Resveratrol
- Why We Love It: While resveratrol touts incredible benefits, like healthy aging and longevity, heart health, inflammation balance, and metabolic health, Shapiro notes that it should be considered as a small piece of an overall healthy lifestyle instead of a singular solution. So anytime we can compound the benefits with other ingredients to support our health, the better. This capsule from Naomi not only contains a proprietary, superpowered trans-resveratrol blend composed of the three power ingredients Dr. Steinbaum recommends (Japanese knotweed, organic French whole red grapes, and muscadine grape skin and seeds), but also olive leaf extract and a patented citrus bergamot extract, called BergAmore, sourced from Calabria, Italy, that’s rich in polyphenols. Together, they offer more robust and comprehensive cardiovascular support. “I like that these are among the few products on the market that feature organic resveratrol in the active trans-resveratrol form,” adds Dr. Steinbaum, who also serves as a medical advisor to the brand. “They are also Clean-Label Certified and free of additives such as magnesium stearate or other synthetic flow agents.”
- Key Ingredients: BergAmore, resveratrol complex blend, and olive leaf extract
- Form: Capsule
- Dose: 1 capsule
Best Resveratrol Supplement For Absorption: Designs For Health Resveratrol Supreme
- Why We Love It: Another favorite of Shapiro, this capsule ensures you’re effectively digesting and absorbing the resveratrol to reap the health benefits. “I love this formula because it is paired with quercetin, a flavonoid found in capers, red onions, broccoli, kale and more,” says Shapiro. “The addition of quercetin or healthy fats in the ingredient list can help increase absorption when it comes to resveratrol.” It’s also third-party tested and only requires one capsule per serving making consistency a bit more manageable—a big win for anyone who can’t bear to add another intensive supplement to their regimen.
- Key Ingredients: Trans resveratrol, quercetin
- Form: Capsule
- Dose: 1 capsule
Best Budget Resveratrol Supplement: Gaia Herbs Resveratrol
- Why We Love It: Vegan, USDA Organic, and Non-GMO Project verified, these capsules from Gaia are proof that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get the antioxidants you need for healthy aging support. While it may be a less expensive option, it’s no less powerful with 150mg of trans-resveratrol per capsule (so 300mg total daily dose). “I always look for quality over quantity when it comes to supplements,” says Shapiro. “For resveratrol, capsules tend to be more stable than powders, which can degrade when exposed to oxygen, sunlight, and more and something in the 100–300 mg range for dosage.”
- Key Ingredients: Trans-resveratrol, Japanese knotweed
- Form: Capsule
- Dose: 2 capsules
Resveratrol is a phytonutrient called a polyphenol. “Polyphenols are natural antioxidant compounds found in plant foods that provide a variety of health benefits,” says Dr. Steinbaum. “Plants produce resveratrol as a defense against stress, pathogens, and UV damage.” Resveratrol occurs naturally in a few plants so you can get a small dose from your diet. “Since it is an antioxidant, think purple-blue hues like red and purple grapes, blueberries, and cranberries, as well as peanuts, pistachios, dark chocolate, and Japanese knotweed,” says Shapiro.
Resveratrol can be a topical as well as oral format. “I like to think of topical resveratrol as local protection, it works where you place it,” says Shapiro. “And oral resveratrol as a more systemic support.” In skincare, resveratrol functions as a powerful antioxidant, helping to prevent damage and neutralize free radicals. “This can support brighter looking skin, help to prevent wrinkles, protect collagen and reduce signs of aging,” says Shapiro. “As a supplement, resveratrol works systemically to decrease inflammation, boost cardiovascular health, and decrease cellular aging.”
The Health Benefits of Resveratrol
Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant that helps fight free radicals—which essentially helps slow down cellular aging. When taken as a supplement or from natural food sources, these antioxidants can help decrease oxidative stress, lower blood pressure, and more. Shapiro says that resveratrol is best known for its potential role in healthy aging. “It works at the cellular level over time, so it is not a quick fix but more of an ingredient for long haul benefits,” she says. According to research, the health benefits of resveratrol are many, a few of which Shapiro outlines below:
- Supports cellular health and longevity pathways (including the activation of sirtuins, often referred to as “longevity proteins”).
- Help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation.
- Support cardiovascular health by improving endothelial function (keeps your blood vessels like arteries and veins healthy and responsive)
- Potentially enhances mitochondrial function, which assists energy production and metabolism.
What are the benefits of taking resveratrol?
There are lots of benefits associated with taking resveratrol. “The most compelling research suggests that resveratrol can mimic the effects of calorie restriction through sirtuin activation,” says Dr. Steinbaum. “This mechanism delivers cardiometabolic benefits, supports healthy blood sugar and insulin sensitivity, and promotes a balanced inflammatory response.” By taking resveratrol as a supplement, Dr. Steinbaum says it works systemically by influencing cellular signaling pathways such as sirtuins (associated with healthy aging) and AMPK (associated with metabolic health).
What are the negative side effects of resveratrol?
According to Dr. Steinbaum, resveratrol is generally well-tolerated. However, if you typically have a sensitive stomach, you might want to steer clear of higher dosages. “At high doses, like above 500 mg, some individuals may experience mild gastrointestinal discomfort, such as bloating or nausea,” says Dr. Steinbaum. As always, check with your doctor before starting any sort of supplementation.
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to registered dietitians—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually recommend to their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to resveratrol, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients composition (i.e. the vitamins and minerals featured), form, dosage, clinical studies, certifications, and the body and wellbeing concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own tests of the supplements with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
- Amy Shapiro MS, RD, CND is a registered dietitian, nutritionist and founder of Real Nutrition.
- Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum is a board certified cardiologist in New York City and CEO/founder of Heart-Tech Health, an integrated wellness platform aimed at cardiovascular disease prevention. She has previously served on the national medical advisory board of multiple companies and currently is a medical advisor for supplement brand Naomi.
