Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Nov 25, 2025 2 hours, 9 minutes ago
Medical News: Growing Interest in a Natural Compound for Child Health
A new scientific review has brought renewed attention to resveratrol, a natural plant compound found in grapes, berries, and peanuts, and its surprising potential to support children battling viral infections. Researchers from the University of Catania, AOU Policlinico G. Rodolico San Marco Catania, Federazione Italiana Medici di Medicina Generale Rome, University of Enna Kore, Eye Center G B Morgagni Catania, University of Catania Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, and San Raffaele Roma Open University explored how this compound may help fight viruses while also improving gut health in young patients. According to this
Medical News report, the study highlights that viruses such as RSV, influenza, rotavirus, SARSCoV2, and norovirus often disrupt a child’s gut microbiome, making the illness more severe and recovery slower.
Research shows resveratrol may help children fight viral infections by targeting viruses and restoring gut health
How Resveratrol Helps the Gut and Immune System
One of the most important findings from the review is that resveratrol does more than directly attack viruses. It also helps rebalance the gut microbiota, which plays a major role in immunity. Children suffering from viral infections often experience gut dysbiosis, a condition where harmful bacteria increase and beneficial bacteria decrease. The researchers found that resveratrol can reduce dangerous bacteria like Enterobacteriaceae while increasing protective ones such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. This shift strengthens the immune system, reduces inflammation, and improves gut barrier function, all of which make children more resilient to infections.
Direct Antiviral Effects Against Common Pediatric Viruses
Laboratory and animal studies show that resveratrol can block different viruses in several ways. For RSV, one of the most common and severe childhood infections, resveratrol binds to the virus’s M protein and disrupts its ability to assemble and spread. It also reduces lung inflammation that contributes to wheezing and breathing difficulties. In influenza, resveratrol interferes with viral protein production and helps cells maintain a healthy antioxidant balance. For rotavirus, a major cause of diarrhea in young children, it reduces viral replication and lowers inflammatory chemicals in the gut. Early studies on norovirus suggest that resveratrol may even alter the viral capsid and make it harder for the virus to enter cells.
Promising Clinical Findings Using Nasal Resveratrol in Children
Because resveratrol is poorly absorbed when swallowed, researchers tested nasal formulations in children. These clinical studies showed that intranasal resveratrol combined with βglucan reduced coughing, sneezing, nasal blockage, wheezing episodes, fever, hospital visits, and even school absences. Infants with rhinovirus infections showed stronger immune responses and fewer symptoms after one week of treatment.
Conclusion
This revi
ew shows that resveratrol may offer a powerful two-sided benefit for children dealing with viral infections by directly inhibiting viruses while also repairing the gut microbiome that illnesses often damage. These combined effects can reduce inflammation, improve immune strength, and possibly shorten illness duration. However, more clinical trials are needed to determine safe dosing, ideal delivery methods, and long-term benefits in different age groups. If future studies confirm these results, resveratrol could become an important supportive therapy for pediatric viral infections, offering families a safe and natural option backed by strong scientific evidence.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/26/23/11341
For the latest on supplements and drugs for pediatric patients with viral infections, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-causes-harmful-gut-changes-in-young-children-weakening-immunity
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