Evolva to work with Northumbria University for studies on health benefits of resveratrol

17 Nov 2017 --- Evolva is entering a collaboration with Northumbria University’s Brain, Performance and Nutrition Research Centre in the UK for a series of studies on Veri-te resveratrol. The collaboration will include human intervention studies that will assess the inter-relationships between obesity, gut health (through microbiota populations), systemic inflammation, cognitive function, cerebral blood flow and peripheral blood flow and how all of these factors can be modulated by resveratrol dietary supplementation.

There is emerging evidence showing a symbiotic relationship between gut health and brain function, sometimes called the gut-brain axis (GBA), Evolva notes. The GBA consists of bidirectional communication between the central and enteric nervous system, linking emotional and cognitive centers of the brain with peripheral intestinal functions.

“Evidence suggests that resveratrol has relevant effects on the health of gut microbiota populations and biomarkers of systemic inflammation,” Stephan Herrera, VP, Strategy & Public Affairs at Evolva, explains to NutritionInsight. “Previous research from the Northumbria University’s Brain, Performance and Nutrition Research Centre has also demonstrated that resveratrol improves cerebral blood-flow during task performance.”

“The study presented will investigate the acute and chronic effects of resveratrol on brain function, and the inter-relationship between gut microbiota, systemic inflammation and brain function,” Herrera adds.

Research shows that consuming polyphenols, including resveratrol, can positively benefit gut microbiota, acting in a similar way to prebiotics. While research has shown resveratrol’s benefits on blood flow, cardiovascular health and cognitive function, no research has directly examined the interrelationship with gut microbiota.

The initial trial will include approximately 100 overweight and obese subjects with ages between 35 and 60 and will investigate this relationship. Two studies are planned over a three-year period.

“We are pleased to partner with Northumbria University using Veri-te resveratrol in this groundbreaking research,” says Angela Tsetsis, Evolva Senior Vice President, Resveratrol. “Evolva continues to lead the way to increase the knowledge about the benefits of resveratrol for human health.”

“There is growing interest in digestive and gut health, both among health care professionals and in the public in general,” Herrera adds. “The aim of these studies is to produce new and useful insights about a relatively new area of research: resveratrol’s effect on the gut-brain axis, and in so doing, on digestive and gut health.”

”The GBA represents the most cutting edge area of human nutrition research and it’s even more exciting that Northumbria’s Brain, Performance and Nutrition Research Centre can continue its work with resveratrol in this field,” says Emma Wightman, Principal Supervisor of the project at Northumbria University.

Resveratrol is a polyphenol found in several types of plants, including red grapes, blueberries, and nuts. Evolva states that resveratrol works inside every cell in the body to help rejuvenate the mitochondria, the powerhouse that keep cells functioning properly. Scientific evidence suggests that it can also help promote healthy aging in humans and animals.

Resveratrol is drawing a lot of attention in the scientific community with over 1,000 peer reviewed studies published in 2017 so far, Evolva adds. The total number of publications on resveratrol now exceeds 10,000, making it a fast-growing body of evidence for a health and wellness ingredient.

“Gut health is a growing focal point for supplements,” Herrera says. “So, looking ahead, another potential benefit of these data could be insights about how resveratrol can work in conjunction with other products such as probiotics, providing even better probiotic results.”

By Paul Creasy

Studies referenced:

1. Wightman, E. L. et al. Effects of resveratrol alone or in combination with piperine on cerebral blood flow parameters and cognitive performance in human subjects: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over investigation. Br. J. Nutr. 112, 203–213 (2014).

2. Wightman, E. L. et al. The effects of chronic trans-resveratrol supplementation on aspects of cognitive function, mood, sleep, health and cerebral blood flow in healthy, young humans. Br. J. Nutr. 114, 1427–1437 (2015).

3. Kennedy, D., Wightman, E. L., Reay, J. L., Lietz, G., Okello, E. J., Wilde, A., & Haskell, C. F. (2010). Effects of resveratrol on cerebral blood flow variables and cognitive performance in humans: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover investigation. Am J Clin Nutr, 91(6), 1590-1597