There’s a reason why many of the most highly recommended foods for good health are plant-based. Aside from their nutrient density, plant-based foods have something in abundance that animal-based foods can’t boast about: naturally occurring antioxidants.
Plant-based foods contain high amounts of active compounds, particularly vitamins, polyphenols and terpenoids. These compounds have been shown to exert beneficial effects on the human body, and some are even used by the food industry to delay the spoilage of raw products. [1]
Antioxidants can also be derived from animal sources, such as meats and dairy products. But compared to the natural antioxidants present in plants, the active compounds in animal products are bioactive peptides that need to be produced from animal proteins. [2]
This means that meat or dairy proteins must first undergo biochemical processes, such as enzymatic hydrolysis during fermentation, in order to become peptides with antioxidant activities. Some of these antioxidant peptides naturally occur in meat, but studies show that their presence depends on various factors, such as the quality, breed and age of the meat. [3]
That’s why experts recommend eating plant-based foods if you’re looking to boost your antioxidant intake. Organic produce like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and certain seeds are overflowing with these beneficial components that are proven to support optimal health and wellness.
Curcumin and Resveratrol: Two of the most powerful plant antioxidants
For decades, researchers have focused on studying the biological activities and health effects of various plant-based antioxidants. Among the most extensively studied – and therefore scientifically confirmed to support good health – of these natural antioxidants are curcumin and resveratrol.
Curcumin is a polyphenol found in the Curcuma longa plant, widely known as turmeric. The most abundant curcuminoid in turmeric, curcumin is one of the plant pigments responsible for turmeric root’s characteristic bright yellow/golden color. [4]
Curcuminoids, and curcumin in particular, are in high demand these days not only as natural colorants but also because of their desirable natural properties which could impact human health in positive ways. [5]
According to a study published in the journal Antioxidants, curcumin’s value as an antioxidant lies in its ability to neutralize free radicals, the unstable byproducts of cellular metabolism. These reactive molecules threaten to damage cells and their components – an event called oxidative stress – if they are not neutralized and disposed of promptly. [6]
While the human body has its own natural defense mechanism against oxidative stress, it still requires support to achieve maximum efficiency. This is particularly true for people who are continuously exposed to environments that trigger excessive free radical production, as well as for older individuals whose antioxidant defenses naturally decline with age. [7]
One of the best ways to provide your body with the antioxidant support it needs is to eat a diet rich in plant-based antioxidant sources. Curcumin, with its tested and proven ability to protect against oxidative stress, is one antioxidant you shouldn’t miss out on. Whether you get it straight from turmeric or from lab-verified supplements, curcumin can help keep your cells safe from destructive free radicals with its high antioxidant capacity.
Antioxidant capacity refers to the ability of a given compound to decrease the pro-oxidant activity of certain molecules which lead to cell damage. [8] Curcumin achieves this with great efficiency through various mechanisms.
According to studies, curcumin’s mode of action involves “scavenging” (i.e., neutralizing and facilitating the removal of) free radicals and disrupting the activity of certain enzymes involved in the production of oxygen-containing free radicals known as reactive oxygen species (ROS). [9]
Comparison of curcumin’s ability to protect lipids – the main components of cell membranes – from oxidation by ROS versus other curcuminoids in turmeric also revealed that the former has considerably higher total antioxidant capacity than any of the latter. [10] These findings show just how powerful an antioxidant curcumin really is.
Another remarkable antioxidant worth knowing is resveratrol. A polyphenol that occurs frequently in plant-based foods, resveratrol can be obtained from a variety of sources, such as the skin (and seeds) of red and purple grapes, peanuts and pistachios; berries like blueberries and cranberries; other fruits like mulberries and raspberries, and cacao beans. [11]
Resveratrol is a protective compound through and through, with plants producing it in copious amounts to defend themselves against environmental stressors. Researchers developed an interest in this phytochemical when they discovered its antioxidant effects not only worked on plants but also on humans.
In plants, resveratrol plays an important role in keeping cells safe from oxidative damage by scavenging various ROS. Studies have also found that resveratrol helps bolster cellular defenses, particularly in tomato plants, by increasing the levels of other antioxidants, such as glutathione, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and antioxidant enzymes. [12]
In humans, resveratrol has been shown to help maintain healthy antioxidant defenses by supporting the natural production and activities of the body’s main antioxidants, namely, glutathione and antioxidant enzymes. [13]
Resveratrol has also been reported to directly scavenge free radicals, interfere with the production of ROS and support normal autophagy, the natural process through which the body removes and recycles unused or dysfunctional cell components. [14] These recycled parts are then used to repair damaged cells or regenerate new and healthy ones. [15]
Thanks to its potent antioxidant activities, resveratrol can protect healthy tissues and organs from oxidative stress together with your body’s natural antioxidants. Their synergistic actions offer reliable defense that can go a long way toward a healthier and revitalized you. Like curcumin, you can get resveratrol directly from foods or from dietary supplements.
The power of Curcumin and Resveratrol combined, according to science*
Aside from scavenging free radicals and protecting cells from oxidative damage, curcumin and resveratrol can do more for you. For one, these active compounds have been shown to support the positive microbial population living in your gut. [16]
According to a study published in the journal Antioxidants, one of the ways food-derived antioxidants protect the intestine from oxidative stress is by influencing the abundance of certain gut microbes, ensuring a balanced composition of good and bad ones. [17] Studies show that keeping a diverse and balanced gut microbial population is one of the keys to maintaining optimal health and wellness. [18]
In a recent study, researchers explored the effects of curcumin on the human intestinal microflora and found that this potent antioxidant can support the growth of certain bacteria with known benefits to human health. [19] Similarly, resveratrol was found to favor certain intestinal microbes that are important for maintaining good gut and overall health. [20]
In addition to your digestive system, another organ that benefits heavily from an abundance of antioxidants in your body is your skin. Because your skin is your body’s first line of defense against threats, it is constantly exposed to stressors that can trigger excessive free radical production.
This is why your skin needs consistent antioxidant protection – protection that can be supplied by a diet high in potent plant-based antioxidants like curcumin and resveratrol. [21] According to a study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, curcumin can protect the skin from oxidative damage caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet B radiation. [22]
Resveratrol also boasts a similar antioxidant activity and has even been reported to penetrate the skin barrier, providing protection deep within the skin. [23] Thanks to this, resveratrol has found its way into many cosmetic formulations where it is used not only for its proven ability to support healthy, youthful-looking skin, but also for its natural ability to support the body’s normal collagen production. [24]
Another benefit both curcumin and resveratrol have to offer is that they can help naturally uplift your mood. According to a study published in the journal CNS Drugs, curcumin’s mental health benefits stem from its ability to support healthy levels of mood-related chemicals, such as serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline and glutamate, in the brain. [25]
Meanwhile, resveratrol has been found to support a positive mood by helping reduce stressful or anxious feelings. Resveratrol is believed to work by blocking the activity of an enzyme known to be involved in the body’s stress response. Other studies have also reported that resveratrol supplementation can support healthy levels of dopamine, serotonin and neuropeptide Y in the brain. [26]
To recap, here are the beneficial activities of curcumin and resveratrol:*
· Scavenge free radicals
· Protect cells from oxidative damage
· Support a healthy intestinal microflora
· Support healthy skin
· Support optimal overall health and wellness
· Naturally uplift mood
Where to find Curcumin + Resveratrol liquid supplements that are optimized for absorption
Despite curcumin and resveratrol’s many benefits, they share a common disadvantage: their poor oral bioavailability. Bioavailability is defined as “the rate and extent at which a [compound] reaches the general circulation from an administered dosage form.” [27] Studies show that curcumin absorption in the small intestine is relatively low while resveratrol is rapidly metabolized and eliminated by the body, preventing it from having any palpable effect. [28][29]
To address this shortcoming and allow you to experience the full health-supporting potential of curcumin and resveratrol, the Health Ranger Store is proud to bring you Groovy Bee® Liposomal Curcumin + Resveratrol, a breakthrough formula that delivers two of the most powerful antioxidants in the human diet in a convenient and highly bioavailable liquid format.
To ensure the efficient delivery of these antioxidants to where they are needed in your body, we’ve encapsulated curcumin from high-quality, organic turmeric root and resveratrol from organic Japanese giant knotweed root in phospholipid-based liposomes derived from non-GMO sunflower lecithin. Because liposomes mimic the phospholipid bilayer in cell membranes, they can efficiently deliver these antioxidants directly to your cells.
Specially formulated for superior absorption, each 1-tsp. serving of Groovy Bee® Liposomal Curcumin + Resveratrol delivers roughly 200 mg of pure curcumin and 75 mg of pure resveratrol. Our premium lab-verified liposomal curcumin + resveratrol formula is non-GMO, gluten-free, made in the USA, and extensively lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
Supercharge your health by incorporating Liposomal Curcumin + Resveratrol into your daily routine!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose any diseases.
References
[4] https://www.sciencedirect.com
[5] https://www.globalgrowthinsights.com
[8] https://www.sciencedirect.com
[10] https://www.sciencedirect.com
[11] https://www.news-medical.net
[12] https://www.sciencedirect.com
[13] https://www.mdpi.com
[14] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com
[15] https://www.healthline.com
[16] https://www.mdpi.com
[17] https://www.mdpi.com
[18] https://www.mdpi.com
[19] https://www.mdpi.com
[20] https://www.frontiersin.org
[21] https://www.mdpi.com
[22] https://www.mdpi.com
[23] https://www.tandfonline.com
[24] https://www.scirp.org/journal
[25] https://link.springer.com/article
[26] https://www.news-medical.net
[27] https://www.sciencedirect.com
[28] https://www.mdpi.com
