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Longevity
beginner
Moderate Evidence

Resveratrol and Polyphenol Protocol

Consume diverse polyphenols daily via blueberries, green tea, dark chocolate, and optionally supplement resveratrol (250-500mg). Activates sirtuin and AMPK longevity pathways.

Time
Integrated into meals
Cost
$20-50
Equipment
None required
Min. Trial
8-12 weeks

Dosage & Timing

Duration
Ongoing
Frequency
Daily
Best Time
morning

Evidence Strength

3/5 — Moderate

Moderate evidence. Polyphenol intake strongly associated with reduced CVD and mortality in epidemiological studies. Resveratrol has strong preclinical data but mixed human results. Food-based polyphenol intake has more consistent evidence than isolated supplements.

Overview

Consume a diverse range of polyphenols daily through food and targeted supplementation. Key sources: blueberries, green tea (EGCG), dark chocolate (>70% cacao), red grapes, and curcumin. Polyphenols activate SIRT1 and AMPK pathways, reduce oxidative stress, and improve endothelial function. Focus on food-first approach with optional resveratrol supplementation (250-500mg/day).

How To Do It

1

Eat polyphenol-rich foods daily

Blueberries, dark leafy greens, green tea, dark chocolate (>70%), red onions, and extra virgin olive oil. Aim for variety.

2

Drink green tea

2-3 cups of green tea daily provides significant EGCG. Matcha contains ~3x the catechins of regular green tea.

3

Consider resveratrol supplement

Optional: 250-500mg trans-resveratrol daily. Take with food. Evidence is stronger for food-based polyphenols.

4

Add curcumin

Use turmeric in cooking or supplement with curcumin (500mg) + piperine (5mg) for enhanced absorption.

The Evidence

Each claim is linked to its source study. Confidence reflects the study design — systematic reviews and RCTs rank highest.

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
High Confidence

Resveratrol supplementation and cardiovascular risk factors

Resveratrol trials show modest effects on selected cardiometabolic markers, with heterogeneous results.

Primary Literature

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis:Resveratrol supplementation and cardiovascular risk factors (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2018.08.016)

Who Popularized This

David Sinclair
Rhonda Patrick
Valter Longo

Interactions & Warnings

Contraindications

  • Resveratrol may interact with blood thinners
  • High-dose supplementation during chemotherapy (consult oncologist)

Interactions

  • Take resveratrol with fat-containing meals for absorption
  • May enhance effects of caloric restriction

Measurable Outcomes

Reduced hs-CRP (inflammation)
Improved fasting glucose
Lower blood pressure
Improved endothelial function (FMD test)
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