Scientists have a solution for the notorious “French paradox” - the riddle of how a nation of alcohol-quaffing, croissant-munching gourmands stays healthy and slim, while a disproportionate number of health-obsessed Americans are obese and at cardiovascular risk. For many years now, scientists have suspected the part that red wine plays in this so called “French paradox.”
Researchers from the industry, the University of Florida and the University of Madison-Wisconsin now report that resveratrol - a constituent of pomegranates, grapes and red wine - when taken in low doses, can enhance the health of the heart, thereby prolonging an individual’s life and boosting its quality.
Plant chemicals in red wine, which often accompanies French meals, have been suggested as a possible explanation.
The new study highlights one compound, resveratrol, which is known to have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties.
Experiments with mice indicated that low doses of resveratrol mimic the effects of calorie restriction to combat aging.
Resveratrol appears to influence the same biological pathway, say the scientists.
The scientists investigated the influence of resveratrol by looking for changes in gene expression, or activity, in heart, muscle and brain tissues.
As animal’s age, gene activity in different parts of the body changes as genes are switched on and off.
In the mouse heart there are at least 1,029 genes whose functions alter with age, leading to impaired function.It’s clear that small doses of resveratrol whether in the form of a glass of red wine or as a supplement can ward off the aging process of the heart. So, go ahead and have that extra glass of wine at lunch - it could just be the secret of a healthy heart and a long life!
When mice are fed a restricted diet, 90% of this age-related change is prevented.
The study found that low doses of resveratrol blocked harmful changes in 92% of the heart genes. At the same time, declines in heart function associated with aging were prevented.
A glass of red wine, or food supplements containing even small doses of resveratrol, were likely to represent a “robust intervention in the retardation of cardiac aging,” the scientists wrote.
It’s clear that small doses of resveratrol whether in the form of a glass of red wine or as a supplement can ward off the aging process of the heart. So, go ahead and have that extra glass of wine at lunch - it could just be the secret of a healthy heart and a long life!
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