Grape Expectations: The Resveratrol Story
Melissa Q.B. McElderry, M.S., R.D.

Resveratrol (trans-3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene), a compound found largely in
the skins of red grapes, is a component of Ko-jo-kon, an oriental medicine
used to treat diseases of the blood vessels, heart [1,2], and liver [2]. It
came to scientific attention only four years ago, however, as a possible
explanation for the "French Paradox" -- the low incidence of heart disease
among the French people, who eat a relatively high-fat diet [3]. Today, it
is touted by manufacturers and being examined by scientific researchers as
an antioxidant [4], an anti-cancer agent, and a phytoestrogen [5]. It is
also being advertised on the Internet as "The French Paradox in a bottle."
[A] Arkopharma, of Wallingford, Connecticut, even markets a red-wine extract
antioxidant product called "French Parad'ox." This article reviews the
recent research on resveratrol's physiologic activity.

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