Saturday, 10 March 2012

Health in a Glass of Red

Some of my friends would feel something amiss if we did not have a bottle of wine to accompany our meal. (Now you're probably asking what has wine to do with health?!) - Yes it's not the alcohol BUT the resvertrol in red wine which is the fabulous ingredient for health. The alcohol just enhances our congenial repast.
      In 2006 a group of researchers discovered resvertrol extended the life of mice and worms in the lab*. Resvertrol blocked the life-shortening consequences of high-fat diets (in rats). Wine makers and drinkers were cheering and celebrating the news. But teetotalers (this includes every one who abstain from intoxicating drinks) were cheering louder:  non-alcoholic red wines have at least 50% higher levels of resvertrol than the alcoholic tipple.
       The bad news: no evidence that resvertrol extend life span of lab rats on normal diets.

 *Scientific American, January 2012, p.22

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