5 Best Resveratrol Supplements

(Ad) If you’ve found this article, chances are you already know a fair bit about resveratrol and its potential health benefits.

Over the past two decades, resveratrol has gained a lot of attention in the supplement world, especially in the field of longevity science.

As a result, there are a lot of products on the market that cater to this growing interest. But with so many options, it can be difficult to know which resveratrol supplement is the best.

Actually, there are a lot of good options and the top brands are relatively similar. The difficulty lies in knowing what factors to look for to identify the best resveratrol supplements.

In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at everything you need to know about choosing the top resveratrol supplement that’s right for you.

What to look for in a resveratrol supplement

Not all resveratrol supplements are the same and there are often big differences in quality. Fortunately, there is only a handful of important things to consider when choosing a resveratrol supplement.

Purity

Generally speaking, there are 2 levels of purity on the market: 50% and 98%. To put it simply, a 1000mg dose of 50% purity resveratrol is effectively the same as a 500mg dose of 98% purity.

Dose

Resveratrol is a dietary supplement and there is, therefore, no “recommended dose.” In research studies, doses of 500mg–1000mg (with 98% purity) are commonly used. The studies report a greater risk of side effects above this level.

Quality

This is usually the most challenging factor to determine when comparing resveratrol supplements. Does it contain fillers, artificial flow agents or excipients, and preservatives? Is the supplement third-party tested to ensure the correct purity and dose, as well as to check that it’s free from contaminants?

With this in mind, here are the best resveratrol supplements on the market right now.

The 5 best resveratrol supplements on Amazon

To keep things simple, we’ll lay out the differences in the products based on the 3 things to consider when choosing a resveratrol pill: purity, dose, and quality.

You’ll notice that most brands combine resveratrol with other ingredients to provide an all-around antioxidant blend.

1) OMRE: Resveratrol + NMN + bioperine

Purity: 98% purity

Dose: 500mg (2 capsule serving size)

Quality:

• No magnesium stearate
• Vegetable capsule
• Third-party tested
• Includes 500mg of 98% purity NMN
• Includes bioperine, which increases the bioavailability of resveratrol 13-fold
• Made in the USA

Price: $44.97

This supplement contains 500mg of 98% purity resveratrol alongside 500mg of 98% purity NMN (another popular longevity ingredient). All ingredients are natural with no magnesium stearate or silicon dioxide. On top of this, they include bioperine, which is considered a “bioavailability enhancer.” Some studies have shown it increases the absorption of resveratrol by 13 times.

Order on Amazon or from their website now.

2) Toniiq: Resveratrol + NMN + betaine anhydrous

Purity: 98% purity

Dose: 500mg (3 capsule serving size)

Quality:

• Vegetable capsule
• Vegetable magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide
• Third-party tested
• Includes 500mg of 98% purity NMN
• Includes 500mg of betaine anhydrous

Price: $44.97

Toniiq produces high-quality supplements and doesn’t cut corners on ingredient purity. In addition to resveratrol, they include NMN and betaine anhydrous for added bang for your buck. To get the 500mg dose of resveratrol, you’ll need to take 3 capsules.

Order on Amazon or from their website now.

3) Adora Organics: Resveratrol + other antioxidants

Purity: 50%

Dose: 800mg (2 capsule serving size—equivalent to 400mg of 98% resveratrol)

Quality:

• Vegetable capsule
• Third-party tested
• Includes other antioxidants such as green tea and grape seed extract

The label on the front of the packaging states resveratrol 1600mg. However, closer inspection of the supplement facts table on the back it reveals that 800mg is from resveratrol and the rest of the dose is made up of other antioxidants, including green tea, grape seed, and açai extract. The resveratrol is 50% purity, and therefore the dose is equivalent to around 400mg of 98% purity NMN.

Price: $22.99

Order on Amazon now

4) Double Wood: Resveratrol

Purity: 50%

Dose: 500mg (2 capsule serving size—equivalent to 250mg of 98% purity resveratrol)

Quality:

• Vegetable capsule
• Made in the USA
• Rice flour natural flow agent

Price: $19.95

Double Wood provides a great value resveratrol supplement with 500mg of resveratrol at 50% purity. The label clearly states that because of the 50% purity, the dose contains 250mg of resveratrol. As such, it’s one of the cheaper products on the market because the dosage is lower than others.

Order on Amazon or from their website now.

5) Purely Beneficial: Resveratrol + polyphenols blend

Purity: 50%

Dose: 605mg (2 capsule serving size—equivalent to 300mg of 98% purity resveratrol)

Quality:

• Vegetable capsule
• Third-party tested
• No fillers or additives
• Includes a proprietary blend of other antioxidant ingredients

Price: $25.99

Purely Beneficial’s supplement is one of the best sellers on Amazon. On the front label, it states resveratrol 1450. But a closer look at the label shows that the resveratrol dose is 605mg at 50% purity. This is roughly the same as a 300mg dose of 98% purity resveratrol. The product also includes a blend of other extracts, including pomegranate, blueberry, and acai extract. However, because this is a proprietary blend, the exact doses aren’t listed.

Order on Amazon or from their website now.

What makes a top resveratrol supplement?

We’ve already touched on some reasons why not all resveratrol supplements are the same. There can be a huge difference in quality and it can be hard to navigate through all the marketing jargon.

But what does “quality” actually mean?

There are lots of different factors that differentiate quality when it comes to supplements. In this section, we’ll describe some of the key considerations.

Purity

The packaging of different resveratrol supplements can be somewhat confusing, because purity and dose go hand in hand.

For example, a large dose of resveratrol with a low level of purity can be less effective than a smaller but purer dose of another product.

To explain this further, resveratrol comes in 2 levels of purity: 50% and 98%. Most brands use Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) as the source of resveratrol and this extract is available in the two purities just mentioned.

There is nothing wrong with a 50% purity supplement—it just means that half the weight of the extract is not actually resveratrol. In other words, a 500mg dose of 50% resveratrol is approximately the same as a 250mg dose of 98% resveratrol.

Also, you may notice that some supplements use whole plant extracts without any standardized percentage of resveratrol. This means that the exact amount of resveratrol in the extract is actually unknown.

Dose

Along the same lines, a bigger dose isn’t necessarily better. If the purity is at 50%, a larger dose will pack the same punch as a smaller dose of 90% purity.

But whatever the dose, remember that too much of anything can be bad for you. The same goes for resveratrol supplements. As with all herbal extracts, they contain active ingredients that can interact with our cells and bodily functions. Dietary supplements are not subjected to the stringent testing required for medicines. Therefore, the dosing is usually based on available research studies. And often, there are only a few research studies available.

The most commonly researched dose of resveratrol is the 500mg–1000mg daily dose. Side effects such as abnormal liver enzymes and abdominal discomfort are more common in doses above 1000mg. (1)

Additives and excipients

When supplements are manufactured, large machines are used to pack the pills together. To help with the flow and distribution of the ingredients through the machinery, “flow agents” are used.

In the past, the most commonly used flow/stabilizing agents were magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide.

For the vast majority of people, these ingredients cause no problems as they are inactive excipients. However, some people may have sensitivities to these ingredients, particularly to magnesium stearate.

To minimize reactions, the best resveratrol supplements use natural alternatives like rice flour or vegetable-based flow agents.

Manufacturing source

Resveratrol supplements sold on Amazon are made all over the world. And the manufacturing practices in some countries may not be as stringent as others.

For example, manufacturers in the US must adhere to FDA regulations. Also, most reputable manufacturers are GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) certified, which involves periodic inspections to verify that they are following safety protocols.

Third-party testing

Aside from manufacturing certifications, the best resveratrol supplement brands will send their finished product for third-party testing.

This means the final product is sent to an independent lab to be checked for dose, purity, and the presence of any contaminants such as bacteria or heavy metals.

The best brands will invest in this verification process to demonstrate that their supplement has been double-checked to ensure that what they claim it contains is actually provided.

Other ingredients

Resveratrol isn’t the only ingredient that claims to have antioxidants and anti-aging effects. That’s why maost of the best brands on the market combine it with other supporting ingredients.

Ultimately, it depends on your goals. If you are looking for a general antioxidant supplement, then products that contain plant polyphenols from green tea, acai, and grape seed extract may be the right choice for you.

On the other hand, if you’re interested in a supplement that targets anti-aging benefits, then the brands that combine resveratrol with NMN or NR may be best for you.

How to get the most out of a resveratrol supplement

Take with food

Resveratrol is fat soluble, which means it’s poorly absorbed from our gut into the bloodstream when taken on an empty stomach.

That’s why it’s really important to take your resveratrol supplement with a source of fat.

Fortunately, that’s not hard to do. Foods such as yogurt, butter, and milk are fat-rich. If you prefer a vegan source, foods like olive oil or avocado are easy options to include as you take your resveratrol.

Timing

Depending on your goals, the time of day you take resveratrol could also affect its efficacy.

If you’re interested in longevity science, you may be taking resveratrol for its reported NAD-boosting benefits. In this case, morning may be the best time to take resveratrol. That’s because this time of day is when our cells are most active in producing NAD.

Furthermore, it's been said that resveratrol bioavailability (how well it’s absorbed), is much better in the mornings.

Why do most supplements contain trans-resveratrol?

Resveratrol comes in two forms, cis and trans, which refers to its chemical structure.

Pretty much every product on the market uses trans-resveratrol. That’s because it’s the one used in research studies and is thought to be the most active form.

In essence, it’s just chemistry terminology that provides a more detailed description of the molecular structure. But it’s not an important consideration when you’re deciding which resveratrol supplement is best for you.

Why do most supplements use Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) as the source of resveratrol?

Most supplements use Polygonum cuspidatum (Japanese knotweed) as the source of resveratrol. That’s because it’s known to naturally contain one of the highest concentrations of resveratrol in the wild.

In the past, resveratrol used to be sourced from grapes, and hence is commonly associated with red wine. However, grapes only contain a fraction of the resveratrol found in Japanese knotweed.

Additionally, the purity of resveratrol in Japanese knotweed can reach as much as 98%, whereas grapes may only contain 5-10% resveratrol.

What is the purest form of resveratrol?

In your search for a top resveratrol supplement, you will probably come across some confusing labels.

Organic, standardized, and pure resveratrol. What does it all really mean?

To keep things simple, we’ll explain by using Polygonum cuspidatum (Japanese knotweed) as the resveratrol source because this is, by far, the most widely used on the market.

Standardized extracts:

These are easy to spot because they will have a percentage purity of resveratrol written on the label. In other words, the Polygonum cuspidatum (Japanese knotweed) extract has been purified to guarantee a specific purity of resveratrol.

And as you’ve already seen, there are 2 purity levels available on the market: 50% and 98%. The 98% level is the purest form of resveratrol available. When you see a standardized extract, you know the percentage of purity is comparable across standardized products.

Whole extract (sometimes called “organic” resveratrol):

If you don’t see a percentage of resveratrol on the label, chances are that the supplement contains a whole plant extract. Essentially, it means that the plant is dried, crushed, and packed into pills without any purification.

This means that the amount of resveratrol will be unknown. The product will certainly contain resveratrol, but depending on the conditions the plant was growing in, like the soil quality and climate, the actual percentage can vary greatly.

That’s why the dose on the label of a whole plant extract can be a little misleading. It’s not to say that these supplements are better or worse. It’s just that you won’t know the exact resveratrol purity.

What color should resveratrol pills be?

If you’ve purchased resveratrol in the past, you may have noticed that they can come in all different shades of brown. On the other end of the spectrum, there are also resveratrol pills that are white (or slightly off-white).

So what’s the deal with this?

Well, it comes back to the source of resveratrol and its purity. Low-purity resveratrol, especially if the source is from grapes, will often look brown.

Ultra-pure 98% resveratrol from Japanese knotweed should be white or very slightly off-white.

Benefits of resveratrol

As a natural compound, resveratrol’s use has been widely researched in preclinical studies. That means scientists have carried out research in small- scale studies, rather than in large drug trials.

That’s important to mention before exploring the benefits of resveratrol. Although the studies mentioned below are promising, it does not mean the benefits are regarded as scientific fact. Research to prove the benefits of resveratrol is still under way.

With that said, resveratrol has been shown to potentially have several active biological properties. We’ll tackle them individually below.

Anti-diabetic

People with diabetes have elevated levels of sugar in their blood. Over time, the sugar reacts with red blood cells in a process known as “glycation.” The glycated cells are stiff and inflammatory, which damages blood vessels. This process is one of the primary reasons why uncontrolled diabetes increases the risk of all cardiovascular-related illnesses.

Resveratrol has been shown in several preclinical studies to have “anti-glycation” properties—that is, it can help reduce the amount of glycated cells.(3)

Now, this doesn’t mean that resveratrol is a cure for diabetes! But it may have a role as a natural aid in the future if larger studies produce good results.

Antioxidant

Resveratrol is a polyphenol that is a powerful antioxidant. But what does oxidation mean and how do antioxidants work?

Oxidation is happening in all of us, all the time. It’s a natural process whereby waste products are formed from, basically, just being alive. Like a car that pumps fumes out of an exhaust pipe while it is running, our cells also produce toxic by- products as waste from metabolism. These waste products are called “free radicals.” Free radicals are highly charged particles that react with cells, causing damage if left unchecked.

This is where antioxidants like resveratrol come into play. They work by neutralizing free radicals to stop damage. resveratrol is not the only antioxidant around—in fact, there are tons of them. That’s why you’ll notice that the best resveratrol supplements combine it with other antioxidants for all-around support. (4)

Anti-abnormal cell growth

You may come across articles that report resveratrol has anti- cancer properties. These phrases are thrown around too lightly and they can be misleading. So it’s important to mention that resveratrol has only been studied in the lab or in small human studies. It’s certainly not a proven science as of yet.

With that clarified, there is a handful of studies that have shown that resveratrol may inhibit certain cell proliferation proteins. But there are also several studies that have shown resveratrol had no or limited benefit, and caused potential side effects. (5)

Anti-aging

One of the most common uses of resveratrol is for its potential anti-aging properties. Note that this takes place at a cellular level—it’s not going to magically make you look 10 years younger! However, there are lots of studies that have shown that in animals, resveratrol upregulates SIRT1 activities.

SIRT1 is a sirtuin, which is a family of proteins that repair and protect our cells’ DNA. Their activity increases during periods of stress on the body, such as fasting or high-intensity exercise (although not psychological stress). Because resveratrol seems to indirectly increase the activity of sirtuins by over 10 times, it’s viewed by some as a promising candidate for a natural longevity supplement. (6)

However, it’s important to emphasize that the studies are largely performed in animals or insects, and that some studies report it makes no difference. Nevertheless, this is an ongoing area of research that has some promise.

Common resveratrol questions

What actually is resveratrol?

Resveratrol is a polyphenol that is abundant in grape skin and grape seeds. Polyphenols are types of antioxidants that protect cells from oxidative damage.

Resveratrol has gained lots of interest in relation to red wine because grapes are a good source of this antioxidant. But, in fact, resveratrol has been detected in over 70 plant species and seeds.

Research into resveratrol has found that it could reduce inflammation, blood pressure, and even cellular aging (more on this in the next section).

However, it’s important to be careful about making sweeping medical claims, as dietary supplements like resveratrol are studied in small experiments. While the research is promising, dietary supplements should not replace a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Can I get enough resveratrol from drinking red wine?

The quick answer to this question is no, not even close.

To put it into perspective, a liter of red wine contains around 15mg of resveratrol. In contrast, most supplements contain around 300–500mg of resveratrol in one dose. So you’d need to drink around 30 liters of red wine a day to get the same amount from a single dose of a good resveratrol supplement. Clearly, that’s not realistic!

On top of this, any benefit from resveratrol will be counteracted by the negative effects of alcohol. In the past, it used to be said that drinking a glass of wine a day can be good for health, as it was believed to lower blood pressure and provided polyphenols like resveratrol that have positive health effects.

However, you may be surprised to hear that in the past few years, this recommendation has been debunked. More recent studies have proven that any amount of regular alcohol consumption, even if it’s a single glass, increases the overall risk of mortality from underlying health conditions. (7)

In summary, drinking red wine as your sole source of resveratrol is probably not the best option.

Do resveratrol supplements really work?

It all depends on what is meant by “do they work?” Like most dietary supplements, it can be hard to assess whether resveratrol is working because its effects are on a cellular level.

That means that you can’t really see or measure the benefits easily. It often requires advanced medical tests to investigate this. With that said, some people report feeling more energized and youthful. But this could easily be a placebo effect.

How to take resveratrol if you are intermittent fasting

Intermittent fasting is all the rage nowadays, as it’s been researched extensively and shown to have a positive impact on overall health and longevity.

Also known as “caloric restriction,” reducing the number of calories we consume in a given day is proving to be a fast-growing field of research. (8)

Similarly, resveratrol is known to up-regulate pathways like those engaged when fasting. Resveratrol is thought to mimic the cellular experience of fasting and provide the benefits without requiring the challenges of actually fasting. That’s why it’s popular in the anti-aging supplement niche.

This can cause a bit of a problem for those who both intermittently fast and want to take a resveratrol supplement. More specifically, it can be an issue for people who time their fasting windows through the morning, as they can’t take the resveratrol at its optimal time. Furthermore, as we explained earlier, resveratrol is best absorbed when there is fat around, so taking it on an empty stomach is not ideal.

One way around this issue is to take your resveratrol supplement with a spoonful of olive oil or yogurt. While it’s not a perfect solution, it’s not likely to have a big impact on your fast because the capsule and small amount of fat don’t contain too many calories.

Can resveratrol supplements reverse aging?

If you’re thinking about a Benjamin Button type reversal of aging, then no, unfortunately not. But it’s true that resveratrol was one of the first molecules discovered to have an impact on the pathways that influence aging.

In fact, it was first identified as a potential life-extending molecule in the early 2000s by a group of scientists that included David Sinclair, the well-known longevity expert. The group he was part of saw a remarkable impact on yeast cell life expectancy. This then sparked a flurry of activity over 2 decades. (9)

Eventually, it was found that resveratrol upregulates sirtuin activity, which is indirectly involved in NAD production. NAD is the universal energy currency all living cells in the world use. Since then, other supplements such as NMN have been found to also increase NAD levels—that’s why the best resveratrol supplements combine the two.

What brand of resveratrol does David Sinclair use?

David Sinclair is arguably one of the best-known scientists in the longevity field of science. Although there are several other eminent scientists in this field as well, David Sinclair became especially well-known after the release of his book, Lifespan. Since its publication, he has appeared on many different talk shows and podcasts to share his knowledge on the topic.

Dr. Sinclair doesn’t endorse any specific resveratrol brands, but he does look for a high-purity source. He often talks about taking daily resveratrol at a dose of 1000mg (98% purity). This is on the higher end of the dose range contained by most supplements on the market.

What is the most absorbable form of resveratrol?

We explained earlier that resveratrol is poorly absorbed by the gut. Its absorption is improved substantially if taken with fat, because it’s fat-soluble.

Manufacturers are trying innovative ways of improving the absorption of resveratrol supplements to increase its bioavailability. Liquid or liposomal resveratrol are a couple of examples of new delivery methods. At the time of writing, there are no good studies to show that these forms are better than the standard pill or powder forms, but it’s something to monitor in the future as more studies are published.

Another way to increase the absorption of resveratrol supplements is to consider taking it with a bioavailability enhancer. One such example is piperine, which is extracted from black pepper. This has been shown in a few studies to increase the absorption of resveratrol by over 10 times. (10)

Are there any side effects?

First things first: any supplements we take have the potential to have side effects. This is especially true if it’s a supplement you haven’t tried before, so you don’t yet know if you have a pre-existing intolerance or allergy.

Second, if you are taking any medication or have any underlying medical conditions, there is a chance that the ingredients could interact. So before starting a new supplement, always speak to your physician.

With regard to the safety of resveratrol specifically, it’s been used in studies for over 20 years now and has been readily available on the market for a similar amount of time. Many studies report that dosing around 500mg is generally well-tolerated. (11)

Side effects such as gastrointestinal upset are reported more often with doses above 1000mg. (12)

With all that said, the rigorous safety tests you’d see in drug trials are not conducted on dietary supplements. The studies mentioned above are much smaller and not comparable to proper clinical trials. Therefore, you should approach any supplement with caution and always discuss it with your doctor first.

Best resveratrol supplement – conclusion

This brings us to the end of our look into the best resveratrol supplements on the market. The bottom line: not all resveratrol supplements are the same and there is a great deal of variation between them.

The main differences are in quality and dosage. And, these factors are what ultimately determine the pricing of these supplements.

Always remember to check the label for the resveratrol level of purity, and to see if there are any artificial additives and ensure that it’s made by a reputable manufacturer with third-party testing.

With all that said, it’s hard to go wrong with any of the top resveratrol supplements mentioned in this article.

*This article is provided by an advertiser. Statements made are not meant to offer medical advice nor to diagnose any condition. Any studies cited here may be preliminary, and may or may not be peer reviewed, and may or may not have sufficient participants to be statistically relevant. Anecdotal accounts should not be taken as scientific results. Products discussed in this article are not designed to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease. The FDA does not evaluate dietary supplements. Consult your doctor about possible interactions, allergies, and if you are considering using a natural and/or dietary supplements for any condition. Individual results will vary.