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Benefits of Red Wine
Reported July 08, 2008
(Ivanhoe Newswire) – We’ve heard red wine can be healthy in
moderation. Now a new study says a large dose of one particular ingredient
in red wine can ward off the effects of age on the heart, bones, eyes and
muscles.
The research was done in mice. Previous studies have shown that restricting
calorie intake by 30 percent or eating a nutritious diet every other day can
delay the onset of age-related diseases, improve stress resistance and
decelerate functional decline. However, a dietary restriction is not ideal
for the frail, ill or elderly. Therefore, researchers were looking at other
ways to achieve the same benefits without cutting calories. They focused on
resveratrol, a protein linked to long life in many species. Resveratrol is a
main ingredient in red wine.
Study authors say they found mice that were given resveratrol saw many
health benefits. The benefits did not necessarily extend their life, but
improved their overall quality of life. Specifically, researchers say
resveratrol induces gene activity patterns in multiple tissues that parallel
those induced by dietary restriction and every-other-day feeding.
Researchers say these findings confirm the feasibility of creating oral
treatments that mimic the health benefits of dietary restriction.
Resveratrol treatment is already being tested in clinical trials for Type II
diabetes.
SOURCE: Published online in the journal Cell Metabolism on July 3, 2008 |
