Cheers! Your glass of red wine has true anti-ageing properties.
We at Freedom age, Functional medicine clinic ,bring you insight into health ingredient of Red wine:
As anti ageing science has progressed on both molecular and clinical basis, resveratrol a naturally occurring polyphenol antioxidant has emerged as candidate for comprehensive therapy.
Resveratrol is a phytoalexin from Red wine , red wine is derived from grape seed skin and grape seed skin contains phytoalexins which are there to prevent microbial infections, therefore these have excellent anti microbial and antioxidant properties.
In a randomised clinical with 40 mg daily dose of resveratrol for 6 weeks , fasting samples showed reduction in reactive oxygen species,additionally reduction in CRP and other markers of inflammation was seen.
Following has been evidenced:
- Healthy skin: wine drinkers have fewer signs of age related skin damage
- Cardiovascular health: As popularly known “French paradox” , France wine drinkers enjoy fewer cardiovascular disorders despite high fat and high wine intake!
- Alzheimer’s disease: Incidence increases with alcohol consumption, however clearly red wine drinkers have clear reduction in incidence.
- Cancer: 2008 report from university of Montpelier in France found that women who consume at least one glass of red wine a day had 50% less chances of breast cancer than non drinkers.
- Diabetes: Quercetin , wine phenolic has shown to have anti diabetic activity , via many of the phenolic pathways as resveratrol.
- Telomerase Regulation: Resveratrol may prove to be useful as telomerase regulator.
- Muscle health: by reducing muscle wasting associated with diabetes and cancer.
How does it Work?
Resveratrol works by modifying inflammation in the body, in addition to having other positive effects on hormone production, blood circulation and fat storage. Studies demonstrate that it specifically seems to work in some of the following ways:
It limits the body’s ability to produce sphingosine kinase and phospholipase D, two molecules known to trigger inflammation.
Resveratrol has been found to lower insulin levels, which is key to staying young, at a healthy weight and fighting diseases like diabetes.
It facilitates mitochondrial respiration and gluconeogenesis. Therefore, it helps the mitochondria which supplies cells with energy to work optimally.
Resveratrol facilitates smooth circulation, preventing arterial damage and offering protection in the brain from memory loss and conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease. It may also prevent other disorders, such as stroke, ischemia.
Best Sources of Resveratrol:
Below are the foods and beverages which can be added, in order to consume more resveratrol:
- Red grapes and red wine: white wine has some too but much lower amounts since the grapes’ skins are removed earlier in the white wine making process.
- Raw cocoa (dark chocolate)
- Lingonberries
- Blueberries
- Mulberries
- Bilberries
- Cranberries
- Pistachios
Dr Kalpana Shekhawat-M.D
Functional Medicine Practitioner
BHRT Consultant