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FRIDAY, July 4, (News Locale) - Further evidence showing benefits of red wine emerged on Thursday as researchers revealed a compound found in red wine may be able to protect the heart by exerting anti-aging effects.
The study on middle-aged mice homed in on the compound called resveratrol. While mice fed on resveratrol did not live longer than their counterparts that were not given the compound, they did enjoy healthier lives.
The mice in the study were divided into two groups with one group being fed a high-calorie diet supplemented with resveratrol while the other group got a high-calorie diet without the compound. Researchers report in the journal Cell Metabolism the former group outlived the latter group.
Lead authors David Sinclair of Harvard Medical School and Rafael de Cabo of the National Institute of Aging said that resveratrol appeared to extend healthy living rather than just prolonging lifespan.
Resveratrol is a natural constituent of grapes, pomegranates, red wine and other foods and is known to have a widespread influence on genes that control aging and also protect the heart.
Polyphenols like resveratrol are thought to be important nutrients for human health especially in combating oxidative stress, which is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease. Dietary sources of polyphenols include apples, blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cranberries, grapes, pears, plums, raspberries, strawberries, broccoli, cabbage, celery, onion and parsley.
Resveratrol is also found in red wine, chocolate and green tea.
While news of the potency of resveratrol as an anti-aging agent is encouraging, consumers must note the study was on mice and on actual people. So binging on red wine may have to wait till human trials provide substantial results.
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