Resveratrol, an antioxidant found in various fruits, vegetables, grapes,
and red wines, has been shown to have free radical scavenging,
anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombogenic activities in biological systems.
Moreover, resveratrol has also been shown to be a good cancer preventive
chemical and has been recommended as a food supplement for health
benefits. Resveratrol can effectively lower the blood sugar in both type
1 (insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, IDDM) and type 2
(insulin-independent diabetes mellitus, NIDDM) diabetic rats. Resveratrol
could also delay the onset of the insulin-resistant phenotype in
experimental rats with prolonged injection of insulin. Further,
resveratrol simultaneously slows down the body weight increment compared
with untreated insulin resistant animals.