Who Should Not Take Resveratrol Supplements?

October 7, 2025 •

3 min read

An estimated one-third of adults in a recent survey reported using dietary supplements. While the antioxidant resveratrol is available over-the-counter and often praised for potential health benefits, it poses significant risks for certain individuals, including those with specific medical conditions or those taking particular medications. Understanding who should not take resveratrol is crucial for patient safety.

Quick Summary

Certain individuals with bleeding disorders, hormone-sensitive conditions, or upcoming surgery should not use resveratrol supplements. It also interacts with various medications and is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. High doses may cause gastrointestinal issues or liver and kidney problems.

Key Points

Avoid Resveratrol with Bleeding Issues: Individuals with bleeding disorders or those on blood-thinning medications should avoid resveratrol due to increased risk of bleeding.
Dangerous for Hormone-Sensitive Cancers: Resveratrol has estrogen-like activity and is contraindicated for people with hormone-sensitive conditions, including certain types of breast, uterine, and ovarian cancers.
Unsafe During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Limited and concerning research in animal models suggests risks to fetal development, making resveratrol supplements unsafe during pregnancy and lactation.
Stop Before Surgery: Due to its blood-thinning effects, resveratrol should be discontinued at least two weeks prior to any surgery.
Interacts with Many Medications: Resveratrol can inhibit liver enzymes (CYP450), potentially increasing the concentration and toxicity of many common drugs, including statins, calcium channel blockers, and antidepressants.
High Doses Carry Risks: At very high doses, resveratrol supplements can cause gastrointestinal side effects like diarrhea and have been linked to potential liver and kidney issues.
Not Recommended for Children: There is insufficient safety data to recommend resveratrol supplementation for children, who should only get it from dietary sources.

Resveratrol is a natural compound found in foods like red grapes and berries, known for its antioxidant properties. However, concentrated supplemental forms are not safe for everyone and can lead to health complications or drug interactions. Unlike the small amounts in food, supplement doses require careful consideration; always consult a healthcare provider before use.

Primary Contraindications for Resveratrol

Certain health conditions and circumstances make resveratrol supplements unsafe.

Bleeding Disorders and Anticoagulant Medications

Resveratrol can slow blood clotting. This poses an increased risk of bleeding, especially for those on blood-thinning medications or with bleeding disorders. Medications and supplements like anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin), antiplatelet drugs (e.g., aspirin), NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen), and herbal supplements (e.g., garlic) can enhance this risk.

Hormone-Sensitive Conditions and Cancers

Resveratrol may act like estrogen, which is a concern for individuals with hormone-sensitive conditions. Conditions like breast, uterine, and ovarian cancers (particularly those that are hormone-receptor-positive), endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and prostate cancer could be affected.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Due to insufficient safety data, resveratrol supplements are not advised during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Animal studies have suggested potential developmental risks, although resveratrol from food sources is generally considered safe.

Medical Conditions and Resveratrol Precautions

Individuals with certain medical conditions should be cautious or avoid resveratrol.

Liver and Kidney Conditions

While typically safe for the liver at standard doses, very high doses (2.5 grams or more) have been associated with liver problems. Anyone with existing liver issues should seek medical advice. High doses may also pose risks to kidney function, particularly for those with chronic kidney disease, as human studies are limited; one trial involving a high-dose formula was stopped due to serious adverse events including kidney failure.

Children

There is a lack of safety information regarding resveratrol supplements for children. Children should only consume resveratrol through dietary sources.

Medication and Supplement Interactions

Resveratrol can influence how the body metabolizes medications.

Drug Metabolism and Cytochrome P450 Enzymes

Resveratrol can interfere with CYP enzymes, such as CYP3A4, which are involved in the metabolism of many drugs. This interference can increase drug levels in the bloodstream, raising the potential for side effects. Medications like statins, calcium channel blockers, immunosuppressants, HIV protease inhibitors, and benzodiazepines may be affected.

Other Supplement Interactions

Taking resveratrol alongside other supplements known to thin the blood, like garlic or ginkgo biloba, can heighten the risk of bleeding.

When to Stop Resveratrol: Pre-Surgery Precautions

Given its impact on blood clotting, it is advisable to discontinue resveratrol supplements at least two weeks before any surgical procedure to mitigate the risk of excessive bleeding. Always consult your doctor for personalized guidance.

Comparing Resveratrol Risks: High vs. Low Doses


Feature	Low-Dose (Food-Derived) Resveratrol	High-Dose (Supplemental) Resveratrol
Source	Grapes, peanuts, berries, cocoa	Concentrated pills, powders, or capsules
Amount	Generally very small and considered safe	Can exceed 1500 mg daily; significantly higher than dietary intake
Primary Risk	Minimal; typically safe for most people	Increased risk for those with contraindications
Side Effects	Rare or non-existent	Higher likelihood of side effects, especially gastrointestinal upset (diarrhea, nausea) at doses over 1 g/day
Drug Interactions	Unlikely to cause significant interactions due to low quantity	Significant risk of interacting with medications metabolized by CYP450 enzymes
Safety in Pregnancy/Lactation	Likely safe in food amounts	Not recommended due to lack of safety data and potential for harm

Conclusion: Prioritizing Safety Over Supplementation

Resveratrol supplements are not appropriate for everyone, particularly those with bleeding disorders, hormone-sensitive cancers, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or individuals scheduled for surgery. Its potential to interact with various medications underscores the importance of caution. Consulting a healthcare professional before taking resveratrol is essential, especially if you have existing health issues or are on medication. Obtaining resveratrol from food is generally the safest approach. For more details on resveratrol and its interactions with cancer treatment, you can visit the {Link: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center website https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/resveratrol}.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you should not take resveratrol if you are on blood-thinning medication. Resveratrol can slow blood clotting, and combining it with anticoagulants like warfarin or antiplatelet drugs like aspirin significantly increases the risk of dangerous bleeding or bruising.

Women with hormone-sensitive conditions, including certain types of breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers, should avoid resveratrol. Because resveratrol can act like estrogen, it may worsen conditions that are sensitive to hormone exposure.

It is recommended to stop taking resveratrol supplements at least two weeks before any scheduled surgery. This precaution is necessary due to its blood-thinning properties, which can increase the risk of bleeding during and after the procedure.

No, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid resveratrol supplements. The safety of concentrated doses has not been established in these populations, and animal studies have raised concerns about potential harm to the fetus.

Yes, resveratrol can interact with a wide range of medications. It can inhibit certain liver enzymes (CYP450) responsible for drug metabolism, potentially causing other drugs to build up in the body to toxic levels.

Individuals with pre-existing liver conditions, like metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), should use caution, especially at high doses. High doses may also present risks for those with kidney disease, and there is insufficient human data to confirm its safety.

The small amounts of resveratrol found in foods like grapes, berries, and peanuts are generally considered safe for most people. The primary risks are associated with the much higher, concentrated doses found in supplements.