Jun 4, 2008 7:57 pm US/Eastern
Compound In Red Wine May Be 'Fountain Of Youth'
Substance In Red Wine Could Help Reverse Effects Of Aging, Researchers Say
by Dr. Sean Kenniff
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
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Researchers in Miami are investigating the anti-aging effects of Resveratol
CBS
We've heard for a long time about the benefits of drinking red wine in moderation. Now the results of a new study reveal that a substance in the wine may be a 'fountain of youth.'
In the experiment, a compound found in red wine called 'resveratrol' stalled the decline of heart function that happens as we age. Researchers say the compound might also fight cancer, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease and stroke; some even say it could even slow the aging process.
In fact, some have called the compound a veritable "Fountain of Youth," and what's more, it's fun to take. Every time you drink a glass of red wind, you get a big, healthy dose.
"We drink on an almost daily basis, or at least on an every dinner basis, every meal basis," said Roman Borra, a wine enthusiast and member of a Doral wine club.
Doug Kalman, a food and pharmaceutical researcher at Miami Research Associates, says that wine is loaded with resveratrol.
Most scientists suspect a compound in red wine is responsible for the so-called French paradox, where the French have a high fat diet without the high health risk that diet normally brings. The difference between the French and Americans is the amount of red wine the French drink; it's almost as common in their diet as water.
"Resveratrol has an antioxidant property an anti-inflammatory property and actually positively influences certain genes in the body to increase their activity," said Kalman.
It's a natural chemical found in the skin of grapes and some other foods. Some grapes have more of it than others.
"When it comes to wines--pinot noirs--are packed with the stuff," Kalman said.
There is growing evidence a daily dose or drink of resveratrol might fight disease, keep you slim, lengthen lifespan and possibly slow down the aging process.
"This is a very exciting compound," Kalman said.
At places like the University of Miami, researchers are studying resveratrol on a variety of human conditions--everything from cancer, heart disease, even stroke.
Dr. Miguel Perez Pinzon, a Resveratrol researcher said, ""our data is very promising."
In Dr. Pinzon's lab, rats fed resveratrol had much less brain damage after suffering a stroke. Other animal studies have shown resveratrol protects the heart during a heart attack. Pinzon believes in the near future, your doctor could prescribe you a daily dose, but not today.
"We hope that 5 years or 10 years down the line we'll have something that we can take to the clinic," Dr.Pinzon said.
Recently a Harvard study found resveratrol completely counteracted the health effects of obesity, in obese mice.
"Organs like the heart and arteries looked just as clean and youthful," said researcher Dr. David Sinclair, "so it really did reduce the impact of being obese."
Even more surprising, the obese mice on resveratrol lived 20-30% longer than normal mice, prompting the obvious question: could resveratrol do the same for people? That's still open to debate.
Dr. Kalman is conducting one the nation's first human clinical trials, and patients like 24-year old Richard Mallada were eager to participate.
"My goal is just better health, improve my health overall in every aspect that I can attain," explained Malaga when asked why he had volunteered.
Experts say if resveratrol works in people as well as it does in animals, many of us could be living disease free for much longer.
"We're talking about something that is very promising from many points of view. So it could be the fountain of youth," Dr. Pinzon said.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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