Study
Effect of resveratrol supplementation on SIRT1 expression and serum levels: a GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis
The mechanism marketed as the longevity effect: 11 RCTs pooled show no significant effect of resveratrol on SIRT1 gene expression, protein expression, or serum levels.
Summary Does resveratrol activate SIRT1 in people? Show / hide ↓
Researchers combined results from 11 randomized controlled trials, where people were assigned to resveratrol or a comparison treatment by chance. The studies measured SIRT1, a protein linked to how cells respond to aging, in genes, cells, and blood. Resveratrol did not significantly change SIRT1 gene activity, the amount of SIRT1 protein, or SIRT1 levels in blood. Some shorter studies and dose comparisons suggested possible changes, but these results did not show a consistent benefit.
What this means for you: This does not support buying resveratrol to activate SIRT1 for anti-aging. It does not rule out other effects of resveratrol, but the main SIRT1 claim is not supported by these human trials.
moderate evidenceThis is the single most important paper for anyone deciding whether to buy resveratrol as an anti-aging supplement. A 2025 GRADE-assessed systematic review pooled 11 randomised controlled trials specifically measuring resveratrol's effect on SIRT1, the sirtuin the entire commercial narrative is built on. The pooled analysis found no significant effect on SIRT1 gene expression, no significant effect on protein expression, and no significant effect on serum SIRT1 levels. There was a signal that interventions shorter than 12 weeks showed a clearer effect, and a dose-response relationship existed, but not in a way that recovers the commercial claim. In plain terms: at the doses and durations most trials use, resveratrol does not activate SIRT1 in humans the way the mouse and yeast work predicted. Resveratrol may still do useful things at the metabolic and cardiovascular level. It is not, on this evidence, the sirtuin activator sold on supplement labels.
Pooled analysis of eleven RCTs found no significant effect of resveratrol supplementation on SIRT1 gene expression, protein expression, or serum levels.
GRADE certainty was low to moderate. Studies varied in dose (150 to 1,500 mg per day), duration (four weeks to twelve months), and population.
Cited by
1 encyclopedia entries reference this study.