Does the daily grind at work or at home leave you feeling stressed, anxious or depressed? Cheer up! You may be able to turn to resveratrol to help lift up your mood.
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Scientists at the University of Buffalo in New York have discovered that resveratrol helps block an enzyme that caused depressive and anxious behavior in mice. The study subjects were first exposed to high amounts of corticosterone, the hormone responsible for regulating your body’s stress response.
Corticosterone releases an enzyme called phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), which was what triggered anxiety and depression in the mice. But after being given high doses of resveratrol, the symptoms disappeared, showing that this compound was able to inhibit the PDE4 enzyme.
This isn’t the first time that resveratrol’s ability to ward off depression was observed. A previous study showed that a single resveratrol dose helped improve blood flow to your brain and enhanced several aspects of brain function, including lowered inflammation that may extend to protection against depression.
Aside from benefits to your mental health, resveratrol may have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial abilities as well. So if you want to get enough of it, consume these resveratrol-rich food sources:
- Muscadine grapes
- Raspberries, blueberries and mulberries
- Pomegranates
- Dark chocolate and raw cacao nibs
And, although red wine also contains this compound, it should not be your go-to source. Aside from having very meager amounts — only 2 milligrams of resveratrol per glass, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University — wine and other alcoholic drinks could prompt brain and organ damage, potentially worsening your mental health instead of boosting it.
Instead, add the resveratrol-rich foods listed above to your diet. When eating grapes, leave the skin on, as it contains the highest amounts of resveratrol. Just remember to eat them and the other fruits in the list in moderation, since they contain high amounts of fructose that may severely impact your health if consumed excessively. Although food is your best go-to source, you can also count on high-quality resveratrol supplements, should you choose to use them. In no time, you may be able to reap some of the benefits that this compound is known to offer.