Resveratrol

Resveratrol (3,5,4′-trihydroxystilbene) is a phytoalexin produced by grape vines under fungal stress, now backed by over 5,000 scientific publications. Its most defined molecular mechanism is direct allosteric activation of SIRT1 — the NAD+-dependent deacylase that regulates mitochondrial biogenesis (via PGC-1α), inflammatory gene suppression (via p65-NF-κB deacetylation), and caloric restriction mimicry. Resveratrol simultaneously activates AMPK and inhibits mTORC1 — the two complementary arms of the longevity signalling axis. In human cardiovascular trials, resveratrol improves endothelial function by upregulating eNOS phosphorylation, reduces LDL oxidation, and lowers plasma C-reactive protein. Trans-resveratrol is stabilised against UV isomerisation to the less active cis form.