Xenohormesis

Xenohormesis is the idea that animals gain from the stress-response molecules made by stressed plants and microbes. You sense these molecules as cues that the environment is getting harsh. Typical examples are polyphenols like resveratrol, quercetin, and curcumin. They are proposed to switch on sirtuins, AMPK, and other stress-defense pathways. That said, the direct switching-on of sirtuins by resveratrol is disputed; much of the real-world effect is now pinned on AMPK and indirect routes. Direct proof that these dietary compounds extend human healthspan is still limited.

Last reviewed: June 22, 2026

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