Scientists since long have been telling about the benefits of resveratrol for cardiovascular health. Now a new study has revealed that participants with Alzheimer’s disease who were recommended to take resveratrol twice a day for 12 months stopped deteriorating.

As per experts, normally when Alzheimer’s progresses the level of a protein called Abeta40 decreases in the blood. Researchers noted that study participants who took the supplement showed no decrease in the protein.

It was also found that patients who took 1 gram of resveratrol twice a day improved at dressing themselves, cooking and using public transportation. The control group, however, showed a decrease in the protein.

Dr Doug Brown, director of research at the Alzheimer’s Society, said, “While this is an interesting study, it did not investigate whether resveratrol has any effect on memory or improving other symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease”.

He further said that before saying that resveratrol has potential as a treatment option they need to see larger and longer trials in people. During those trials they will see whether it can improve the lives of those with the condition.

Resveratrol is classified as a polyphenol because of its chemical structure. Polyphenols make up a huge group of plant compounds that are further broken down into other classifications such as flavonoids and proanthocyanidins, which are potent antioxidants.

Red wine extract contains varying amounts of resveratrol along with other plant chemicals, said experts. A bottle of red wine contains only 1 milligram of resveratrol.

Resveratrol exists in two forms: cis-resveratrol and trans-resveratrol. These forms contain the same type and number of atoms, but the orientation of the atoms is slightly different, said researchers.