Red Wine Reverses Ageing Ravages

Red wine contains large doses of a compound that can defend against various health damages related to aging. Trials with midlife mice revealed that red wine benefits the heart, prevents eye cataracts and also strengthens the bones, said researchers on Thursday.

“Red wine is a good source of resveratrol," said study author Rafael de Cabo, unit chief of the laboratory of experimental gerontology at the National Institute on Aging in Baltimore.

"And, in this mouse study, we have shown that this particular compound has very strong positive effects on preventing cardiovascular disease, reducing heart inflammation, keeping bone health in terms of structure and function, and maintaining loco-motor and balance activity,” he added. “So, if these effects translate into humans, it will have a very good impact on the standard of human health."

The study also showed that red wine washes down the effects of high-calorie consumption.

The mice that were fed with a high-calorie diet supplemented with resveratrol lived longer than those getting a high-calorie diet without the compound, the researchers said.

Resveratrol in red wine mimics the benefits of eating low-calorie food. The French, assumedly draw on this attribute of the red wine, which generally accompanies their cheese-loaded meals.

However, the health benefits of resveratrol do not necessarily transform into an increased life span. "The good news is we can increase health. I think that's more important than increasing life span," said David Sinclair of Harvard Medical School, who led the study along with Rafael de Cabo.

Most of the mice given resveratrol did not live longer than other mice but showed significantly improved health, according to the study published in the journal Cell Metabolism.

“I was most surprised by how broad the effects were in the mice,” said Sinclair. “Usually, you focus on slowing down or ameliorating one disease at a time. In this case, resveratrol influences a whole series of seemingly unrelated diseases associated with ageing.”

Drugmakers took notice and some companies are busy developing drugs that mimic the effects of resveratrol.

The compound has previously been known to extend the lives of yeast, worms, flies and fish.