Resveratrol (molecular formula: C14H12O3, CAS number: 501-36-0, also known as 3,5,4′-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) is a substance naturally found in common foods, such as wine, grapes and several types of berries in tiny amounts ^[1].

Resveratrol has been present in medicinal preparations such as darakchasava or manakka, for more than 2000 years ^[2], as well as the Polygonum cuspidatum herb, which has been used in Japanese and Chinese traditional medicine such as ko-jo-kon, that is used in the treatment of several cardiovascular diseases^[3]. Resveratrol is also present in Veratrum formosanum, which has been traditionally used in east Asia to treat hypertension^[4].

Levels of resveratrol in red wine were studied in 1992, and speculation arose that red wine could have beneficial properties due to the resveratrol content ^[10].

In 1997, important properties were discovered in lab tests conducted using resveratrol ^[11]. It has also been found to indirectly activate the sirtuin enzyme SIRT1^[15].
Several studies have been completed on humans ^[9].

Resveratrol gained increased interest as a nutritional supplement in 2006 ^[5], after a study conducted by Harvard scientists (who discovered in 2003 that resveratrol increased cell survival and slowed ageing in yeast^[27]) found that resveratrol produced changes associated with longer lifespan in middle-aged mice on a high-calorie diet, shifting their physiology towards that of mice on a standard diet^[6]. Sections of the press reported this news in relation to wine, speculating that red wine could have health benefits, as resveratrol is present in small amounts in most red wines^[7,1].

Resveratrol exerts a wide range of effects across species and models, but the exact mechanisms through which it functions is currently unclear ^[17].
Resveratrol has relatively low bioavailability, but still exerts high activity, a problem that has been referred to as the “Resveratrol Paradox”. This makes the identification of the specific mechanisms causing the effects exerted by resveratrol challenging, as well as identifying the correct or optimal dosage ^[9].

It has been theorised that resveratrol exerts its major effects on the intestinal tissue, affecting the rest of the body through secondary effects that are indispensable of the plasma levels reached by the compound ^[17].

Due to its chemical and physical features, resveratrol can either cross cell membranes passively, or interact with membrane receptors. Therefore, it may interact with extracellular and intracellular molecules.
For this reason, its mechanism of action at the cellular level may be triggered by either activating signalling pathways when binding to cell membrane receptors, activating intracellular mechanisms, or even developing its effects inside the nucleus ^[8].

It has been suggested that resveratrol recruits molecular mechanisms that act both globally in muscle fibres and specifically on the postsynaptic region of the neuromuscular junctions ^[12].

One study indicates that while resveratrol may not directly activate the “anti-ageing” sirtuin enzyme SIRT1, it directly activates the enzyme NMNAT1 and increases intracellular NAD+ levels, which likely influences downstream SIRT1 activity, as SIRT1 requires NAD+ ^[15].
The same study concludes that their results are consistent with resveratrol acting as a heterotropic allosteric modulator of NMNAD1, at an as yet unidentified site ^[15].

A lab study on human cells treated with resveratrol found that independent of SIRT1, resveratrol was able to rejuvenate inactive senescent cells ^[28]. Within hours, the older cells started to divide, and had longer telomeres (the “caps” on the chromosomes which shorten as we age), and demonstrated restored splicing factor expression (a class of genes that are progressively switched off as we age).
The cells treated with resveratrol not only looked younger, but started to behave more like young cells.

We provide high purity, pharmaceutical grade, independently verified micronized trans-resveratrol, for sale in the UK with delivery worldwide, at fair and reasonable prices.

Resveratrol is naturally found co-existing in two chemical structures; trans-resveratrol and cis-resveratrol ^[43]. Trans-resveratrol is the molecule that is most stable and bioavailable, and is the version extensively studied and known to be beneficial^[8]. Cis-resveratrol is unstable and worthless as a nutritional supplement.

Reducing the particle size of trans-resveratrol (known as micronizing), increases the surface area, and has shown to substantially increase the amount of trans-resveratrol to make it into the blood; roughly doubling peak plasma levels ^[44].

This is why PlantPills resveratrol is trans-resveratrol, and is micronized. In fact, PlantPills trans-resveratrol is micronized to have an average particle size of less than 1.5 microns (less than 0.0015mm), compared to a size of at least 50 micron (0.05mm) for standard resveratrol.

Nobody should consider taking any resveratrol supplement if the retailer can’t provide test results from a third party laboratory.
The test results should be from a reputable laboratory that isn’t associated with the manufacturer or the retailer, and should confirm that the product is at least 99% pure trans-resveratrol, and doesn’t contain any dangerous levels of heavy metals or micro-organisms.

Without third party testing, it’s completely unknown whether the product is what it claims to be, and whether it’s safe for human consumption. Unfortunately the market is rife with fake and low-grade resveratrol due to the high price.

Every batch of PlantPills micronized trans-resveratrol powder is independently verified to have a purity of at least 99%, with no dangerous levels of heavy metals or micro-organisms. The certifications for the current batch are viewable below. The current batch of our trans-resveratrol powder has a purity of 99.3%.

Pack sizes are 5 grams, 10 grams, 25 grams, 50 grams, 100 grams, 250 grams, 500 grams, 1 kilogram and 2 kilograms.
Different pack sizes are selectable in the basket.

Independent third party Analysis Certificates

PlantPills trans-resveratrol powder is supplied in food-safe re-sealable bags that are clear on one side, with a 0.5ml spoon that holds 250mg of resveratrol powder when level.

The clear-sided pouch is supplied inside a pouch that doesn’t let any light in, and the clear-sided pouch should be kept inside this pouch. Resveratrol is degraded by exposure to light ^[53], this is why the clear-sided pouch should be kept in the secondary pouch provided.

PlantPills Glass Jars that hold up to 40 grams of resveratrol are available for purchase in the shopping basket. These can provide a more convenient form of administering the daily servings while keeping the main packet stored away.
Extra spoons are also available for purchase in the shopping basket.

Some resveratrol powder is claimed to be super, special, advanced, or in some way superior to other resveratrol powder.

As long as it is micronized to less than 2 microns, and there is third party testing from a reputable laboratory proving the trans-resveratrol purity is at least 99%, and doesn’t contain any dangerous levels of heavy metals or micro-organisms, the micronized trans-resveratrol is the same as any other micronized trans-resveratrol made to the same standards.

Some resveratrol is misleadingly labelled as 99% pure; this is not the same as being 99% trans-resveratrol. Being “99% pure” means the trans-resveratrol has not been purified or measured, so contains an unknown amount of trans-resveratrol.

It’s also important to check the amount of trans-resveratrol per serving, and the amount of servings per pack; for example 0.1g (100mg) per serving, with 30 servings per container, would total just 3 grams of trans-resveratrol per container.
This would last only six days if taking 0.5g per day.