The plant extract resveratrol, found in the skin of red grapes, appears to suppress inflammation and may fight aging in humans, according to a new study.

Common food sources of resveratrol include grapes, wine, peanuts, blueberries, and cranberries.

Study author Husam Ghanim, PhD, of the University of Buffalo says the popular plant extract has been shown to prolong life and reduce the rate of aging in roundworms, fruit flies, and yeast, apparently because resveratrol affects a gene associated with longevity.

Now, Ghanim and colleagues say they have found that resveratrol reduces inflammation in humans that could lead to heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

The researchers signed up 20 people and put them at random into two groups, one receiving a placebo and the other a supplement containing 40 milligrams of resveratrol. The volunteers took pills once a day for six weeks.

Fasting blood samples were taken at the start of the trial and then at intervals of one, three, and six weeks.

Results showed that resveratrol suppressed the generation of “free radicals” -- unstable molecules known to cause oxidative stress and release pro-inflammatory substances into the blood, resulting in damage to the blood vessel lining.

People taking resveratrol also showed suppression of the inflammatory protein tumor necrosis factor, or TNF, and other compounds that increase blood vessel inflammation and interfere with insulin action, causing insulin resistance and the risk of developing diabetes.

Blood samples from those on placebo showed no significant change in pro-inflammatory markers.

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