Both resveratrol and grape seed extract are derived from grapes, but unlike grape seed, resveratrol is extracted from grape skins like those used to make red wine. Although both substances have similar actions in the body, they each have some individual recommended medicinal uses. You might take grape seed extract for different health benefits than resveratrol. Before you begin taking either alternative remedy, consult your doctor to discuss the correct dosage and possible drug interactions.
Identification
Resveratrol is also found in peanuts and purple grape juice. Because resveratrol is found in the highest concentrations in red wine, wine is considered the main dietary source of resveratrol. Grape seed extract is taken from the seeds or from whole grapes. Grape seed extract contains substantial amounts of flavonoids, vitamin E and linoleic acid, among other important constituents.
Function
Both resveratrol and grape seed extract act as powerful antioxidants in the body. Antioxidants combat free radicals, which can attack and kill your body’s cells, as well as damage cell DNA. Antioxidants also play a role in certain medical conditions like heart disease and cancer, as well as in aging. The antioxidant actions in grape seed extract are attributed to the constituents known as oligomerica proanthocyanidin complexes, or OPCs, while resveratrol itself is a constituent of grape skins that bears the antioxidant effects. Additionally, resveratrol is considered a phytoestrogen, which is a plant-based substance that acts in a similar way to the estrogen hormone in your body.