Resveratrol and Alcohol: Safety, Benefits & Key Interactions
18th Jan 2025
Resveratrol and Alcohol: Everything You Need to Know
Alcohol is a commonly used drug and when having a few drinks at an event, it can be easy to forget the supplements and medications you’ve taken during the day.
Will the alcohol prevent the supplements from doing their job, make their effect even stronger or cause an adverse reaction in your body?
They’re questions you should be asking your doctor about when you get their opinion before adding supplements to your diet, but since Xandro manufactures a Trans Resveratrol 500mg supplement, we believe it’s our due diligence to provide you with some information about any interactions between the two.
Jump there now!
- Can You Take Resveratrol with Alcohol?
- Resveratrol’s Effect on Alcohol-Induced Mortality
- Is Resveratrol Hard on the Liver?
- Does Wine Have Resveratrol?
- What Should You Not Mix with Resveratrol?
- FAQs
Further Reading: What You Should Know Before Drinking Alcohol
Currently, more studies are needed in humans to determine if there are any adverse effects between resveratrol and alcohol, so it’s not recommended to drink alcohol while taking resveratrol.
There are, however, studies coming out about the potential benefits of taking resveratrol for those who drink excessive alcohol.
In one study,researchers gave alcohol-consuming mice daily doses of resveratrol for 60 days. They found that resveratrol significantly lowered the harmful free radicals caused by alcohol, helping to protect cells from damage and, unlike some treatments, resveratrol didn’t interfere with the body’s natural ability to fight free radicals. It was found that alcohol also raises levels of a molecule called BDNF in the liver, which can lead to liver damage. Resveratrol helped counteract this harmful effect.
Further research is needed to confirm these findings in humans, but resveratrol might be a powerful dietary supplement for people who drink alcohol regularly. By reducing oxidative stress and protecting the liver, it may help prevent long-term damage from chronic alcohol use.
If you do take resveratrol with alcohol, avoid drinking excessive amounts to prevent any potential side effects.
Always speak to your doctor before adding any new supplements to your diet.
Further Reading: Can You Drink Magnesium Glycinate with Alcohol?
Chronic heavy drinking can harm the liver, but, interestingly only 14 per cent of heavy drinkers (12+ drinks daily for eight years) develop severe conditions like cirrhosis. Genetics and diet also play a role.
Resveratrol is a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound found in foods like grapes, wine, berries and peanuts. Studies show that it protects the liver, brain, heart and immune system. It works by reducing oxidative stress, controlling inflammation and supporting the body’s ability to repair damage.
In experiments with mice, those given high amounts of alcohol experienced increased mortality and significant organ damage, but those who consumed alcohol alongside resveratrol had lower mortality rates and reduced liver damage. Resveratrol’s ability to minimise damage is linked to its antioxidant properties, which counteract harmful molecules, and its anti-inflammatory effects, which reduce harmful immune responses.
If these findings are confirmed in humans, resveratrol could become a valuable tool in reducing alcohol-related harm. It might be used to help individuals who drink excessively by lowering the risk of liver damage and other complications. There’s even potential for resveratrol to be added to alcoholic beverages to make them less harmful — similar to how fluoride is added to water to improve dental health.
Further Reading: Can You Take NMN and Alcohol Together?
Resveratrol has been found to be generally safe for the liver and may even be used to help treat liver disorders. Despite this, high doses, such as 2.5g or more each day, may actually cause liver dysfunction in those with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. It’s been found that a consistent dose of around 450mg is better and safer than a single high dose.
Yes, since one of the foods resveratrol is found in is grapes, this means it’s also found in wine. As for how much resveratrol in a glass of wine, this will depend on the grape variety and how the wine is made, but, generally, red wine contains between 0.2 and 5.8mg/L and white wine contains about 0.68mg/L of resveratrol.
While resveratrol is a natural compound with many health benefits, certain combinations may reduce its effectiveness or cause unwanted effects.
Avoid taking resveratrol with high doses of blood thinners like warfarin or aspirin, as it can increase the risk of bleeding due to its mild blood-thinning properties. Be cautious with anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen) or supplements with similar effects, as combining them may amplify these actions. Also, mixing trans resveratrol and alcohol in excessive amounts could strain the liver, as both substances are metabolised there.
If you’re on medications or have health concerns, speak with your doctor before adding resveratrol to your routine to make sure it’s safe and effective for you.
Further Reading: Is Taking Resveratrol a Good Longevity Strategy?
What Are Some Resveratrol Foods?
Resveratrol is a natural compound found in plant-based foods such as grapes, particularly red and purple varieties, with most of the resveratrol located in the skin. Wine also contains resveratrol due to its grape origins. Other foods containing resveratrol include blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, peanuts and peanut butter, dark chocolate and cocoa.
What Is the Difference Between Resveratrol and Trans Resveratrol?
Resveratrol comes in two forms: cis-resveratrol and trans-resveratrol. Trans-resveratrol is the more active and stable form, making it the one most often studied and used in supplements. It’s known for its health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and heart-protective effects.
While both forms exist naturally, trans-resveratrol is typically the dominant form found in foods like grapes and red wine. Supplements often say ‘trans-resveratrol’ on the label to show they contain the more potent version of the resveratrol.
Further Reading: Comparing Resveratrol with Other Antioxidants
End Note
Knowing about resveratrol and alcohol use is important before mixing the two, just as it’s important before mixing alcohol with any supplements you take. Keep yourself informed to stay safe and healthy, so speak with your doctor before making any changes to your diet.
You can also keep yourself informed by reading our scientific blogs, with new blogs posted weekly.
If you’re looking to experience the benefits of resveratrol, such as improving blood pressure, providing antioxidant support and improving brain performance, try Xandro’s Trans Resveratrol 500mg.