Resveratrol supports cognitive health in aging populations, says groundbreaking RESHAW study

Photo © iStockphoto.com/Jacob Wackerhausen

Evolva (Reinach, Switzerland) has announced the first published findings¹ from the Resveratrol Supporting Healthy Aging in Women (RESHAW) clinical study, conducted by the University of Newcastle in Australia and funded by the country’s National Health and Medical Research Council. This two-year clinical trial is the largest and longest-running trial of its kind, investigating the impact of Evolva’s branded Veri-te resveratrol on cognitive performance. Interim results were announced at SupplySide West 2019.

In the double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design, 125 post-menopausal women were assigned to either receive 75 mg of resveratrol or placebo twice daily for 12 months, then switched interventions for the next 12 months. Results showed performance on Pattern Comparison Speed tests improved in the resveratrol group, compared to placebo, which the researchers believe is due to the significant improvements in two cognitive domains, processing speed and cognitive flexibility. Both of these domains are part of executive function, requiring speed, perceptual reasoning, and accuracy to accomplish tasks. Executive function declines with age, with processing speed and cognitive flexibility being among the first cognitive changes reported in healthy older adults.

The researchers hypothesize that the cognitive improvements may be due, in part, to sustained improvement of endothelium-dependent vasodilator function, which modulates cerebral blood flow during times of demand. Subjects taking resveratrol saw significant improvements in basal blood flow velocities (systolic, mean, and diastolic), and pulsatility index, which is a measure of the stiffness in cerebral vessels, compared to placebo. Neurovascular coupling capacity also saw improvement, especially in response to tests of cognitive flexibility. This is important because cognitive decline and ultimately dementia are linked to accelerated decline in resting cerebral blood flow and cerebrovascular function due to decreased delivery of oxygen and nutrients to vulnerable parts of the brain such as the hippocampus.

“This momentous publication from the team at the University of Newcastle highlights the benefits that Veri-te resveratrol can have on brain health, making resveratrol an essential ingredient for postmenopausal women and healthy aging,” said Clare Panchoo, vice president, Health Ingredients, Evolva, in a press release. “This first peer-reviewed publication from the RESHAW clinical study provides the evidence that supplementation with Veri-te resveratrol should be a key strategy for the design and delivery of effective supplements that may attenuate the decline in brain health as women age and improve overall wellbeing post menopause.”

“Our customers have been anticipating the results from RESHAW and have already initiated new product development based on this first publication; we further expect the positive outcomes to drive sales of Veri-te resveratrol globally,” adds Panchoo.

References:

1. Thaung Zaw JJ et al. “Sustained Cerebrovascular and Cognitive Benefits of Resveratrol in Postmenopausal Women.” Nutrients, vol. 12, no. 3 (2020): 828