Evidence supporting the use of: Resveratrol
For the health condition: Dementia

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound found in red wine, grapes, and some berries, and has gained attention for its potential neuroprotective effects. Its use in dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, is based on laboratory and animal studies suggesting that it may reduce neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and amyloid-beta plaque accumulation—key factors involved in neurodegenerative diseases. Several small-scale human clinical trials have been conducted, with mixed but generally modest results. Some studies indicate that resveratrol supplementation can reduce markers of inflammation and improve blood-brain barrier integrity in individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. For example, a 2015 randomized, placebo-controlled trial published in "Neurology" found that high-dose resveratrol was safe and altered some biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s—but did not show clear clinical improvements in cognition. The overall quality of published evidence is low to moderate, with limitations including small sample sizes, short durations, and heterogeneity of outcome measures. As such, systematic reviews and meta-analyses conclude that while resveratrol shows promise due to its biochemical properties and preliminary results, there is insufficient high-quality clinical evidence to recommend its use for dementia treatment or prevention. Its use is not rooted in traditional medicine for dementia, but rather in modern scientific investigation. More large, long-term trials are needed before resveratrol can be considered an evidence-based therapy for dementia.

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