News

BOOST YOUR BRAINPOWER and MOOD with FLAVONOIDS

Powerful brainpower benefits occur with Flavonoid compounds according to recent research.  Flavonoids are found in several foods types including red wines - and our reds have the greatest concentrations of these compounds.  Human BRAINPOWER and HAPPINESS are intimately linked to what we consume. Scientists are finding that some foods provide noticeably positive boosts in mental sharpness and mood.

Scientists believe the consumption of flavonoid-rich foods throughout life offers a multiplicity of beneficial effects for brainpower, including the potential to limit neuro-degeneration and to prevent or reverse age-dependent loses in cognitive performance. The intense interest in the development of drugs capable of enhancing brain function means that flavonoids may represent important precursor molecules in the quest to develop a new generation of brain enhancing drugs.

In the meantime scientists testing flavonoid rich foods such as vegetables, berries and cocoa are observing significant boosts in metal acuity (crispness) and mood. Note that procyanidin, which is so concentrated in the tested red wines of SW France we sell, is the same beneficial flavonoid as in cocoa.  Also note that resveratrol is not a flavonoid.

Click title above to read a detailed report by nutritional scientist Jeremy Spencer.

Red wine increases levels of good EPC levels

In the latest wine and health news we have seen a report from the American Heart Association (AHA) on a recent study that concluded that a low-dose intake of red wine can significantly enhance circulating levels of good EPC (endothelial progenitor cell) levels in healthy young subjects by increasing nitric oxide bioavailability. They stated the findings may explain the underlying mechanism responsible for the beneficial effects of red wine on the cardiovascular system.  Read the full AHA report.

Lifestylewines adds - The context of these encouraging findings about moderate consumption of healthy red wines is that it's a strategy to protect heart health and longevity, and in NZ where one person dies every 90 minutes of coronary heart disease.

Alcohol Protects Against Dementia

A recent German study has concluded that drinking alcohol in moderation protects against dementia, even after age 75. German scientists reported that, on average, the daily consumption of alcohol reduces the risk of dementia by nearly 30 percent compared to nondrinkers. Additionally, the risk is another 30 percent lower for people who drink between one or two servings per day. What's more, the beneficial effects of alcohol increased markedly in those who drank wine. Read the article in Wine Spectator

Lifestylewines adds - in most of the studies and research we read about wine and health, the healthy compounds are extracted from the skins and seeds. Therefore those compounds will be in the highest concentrations in wines where the juice is in contact with the skins and seeds for the longest periods - just as with the range of heart healthy reds we stock.

Fish with Wine: The Perfect Pairing for Heart Health

Scientific review finds wine optimizes digestion of omega-3 fatty acids
Finding the perfect wine to match with fish may be challenging, but a team of French scientists has found that the pairing is worth the effort. A comprehensive review of recent research on wine and fish shows that the drink helps break down omega-3 fatty acids abundant in many types of seafood. This helps keep heart tissue stronger and healthier. Link to Winespectator.com

GLAXO halts development of resveratrol drug

Compound had little effect on cancer patients and aggravated kidney issues. 
Glaxo announced last week that it would be halting all trials of the drug, after SRT501 failed to make a significant impact on patients with cancer and even aggravated some kidney problems. Apparently the huge doses of this compound that have been shown to be beneficial in animals are relatively impractical in human studies. A link to The Myeloma Beacon and see also the article in Winespectator

High dose heart health supplements critically reviewed again!

An article in the March 20th issue of NZ Listener magazine looks at the health claims and marketing of resveratrol, both locally and by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). GSK purchased the research company that claimed resveratrol in huge unnatural doses has health benefits. Since then the marketing push by GSK and others, including NZ media personalities, is significant. The article quotes concerns by National Heart Foundation and others. Link to NZ Listener

Aspirin does more harm than good in healthy people: research

Healthy people who take aspirin to prevent a heart attack are doing themselves more harm than good, researchers have said.

Millions of people - including a substantial number of the "worried well" - take a daily dose of the drug in the belief it will keep them healthy. But British scientists said they have found that for healthy people taking aspirin does not significantly reduce the risk of a heart attack.

At the same time they found it almost doubles the risk of internal bleeding. This is another reason the proposed Polypill for the healthy over 50's is debatable.    Link to Telegraph.co.uk

Wine may prevent Gallstones

A new study holds that a glass or two of wine each day may help prevent gallstone formation. Wine Spectator report

Heart healthy red wines assisting NZ wine drinkers to lower blood pressure

NZ consumers Of world’s healthiest wines are experiencing lower blood pressure, thus consistent with the research.
These wines with the highest known and naturally occurring concentrations of the antioxidant Procyanidin (that protects against heart disease) are achieving improvements in blood pressure for NZ consumers, without any lifestyle changes. Lifestylewines.co.nz Press Release - 23 Feb 2009

Wine, Tea and Chocolate Improve Mental Performance

Scientists at Oxford University find that a diet rich in all three works best for elderly study participants. All three foods are rich in polyphenolic compounds called flavonoids, a group that does NOT include resveratrol.  Link to Wine Spectator Online.

US Dept of Health & Human Sciences reports on Resveratrol

US Govt Agency says cannot recommend resveratrol for human use

The agency says researchers still have much to learn before resveratrol can be recommended for human use. Basic questions of safety and biological effect in humans remain to be studied experimentally. Link to NIH News

Red Wine Aids Meat Digestion

A new study examines benefits that occur in the stomach.
Taking a sip of red wine with a bite of red meat is a carnivore's dream come true. And now a team of Israeli scientists say the stomach likes the pairing as much as the mouth. Link to Wine Spectator Online.

Vitamin pills 'increase risk of early death'

This article about some vitamin supplements has prompted vigorous debate both for and against the conclusions and about who was responsible for funding the study. We pass no judgement and you have to reach your own conclusion. Link to the Telegraph.co.uk
Our compelling proposition is that exceptionally high doses of procyanidin polyphenols in some red wines have been part of a NATURAL DIET for decades.

Type 2 diabetes and moderate alcohol consumption OK

Controlled tests using wine have determined that people with type 2 diabetes mellitus should not be discouraged from using alcohol in moderation.  Link to Globalfamilydoctor.com

What the cardiologist said about healthy red wine and interesting comment from the British Heart Foundation

Its worth a read. Institutional attitudes are changing in recognition of the research and the supporting population studies. Link to the Guardian websiite

Prof Roger Corder interviewed by Wine Spectator

Wine Spectator talks to Professor Roger Corder ahead of the launch of his book in the USA later this year.  Link to WineSpectator.com

Moderate Wine Consumption Linked to Lower Chance of Heart Attack in Women

Women who frequently drink moderate amounts of wine are nearly half as likely to have a heart attack as women who abstain. Link to Wine Spectator.com

Statins - The worrying wonder drug

Link to the Telegraph.co.uk

Lifestylewines features on front page of Dominion Post Business section & Stuff.co.nz

The story of the launch of Lifestylewines with the world's healthiest wines from the Appellation Madiran in France.

Scientific American report on Corder's research

Another report highlights the research and that Procyanidins are the heart healthy compound in red wine, NOT resveratrol.  Link to Scientific America.