Prof Roger Corder Published in Nature Magazine

Another Wine Study with Reasons to Drink Red Wine

November 2006
Scientists have found another explanation why red wine is good for you, identifying substances in red wines that is associated with increased longevity in parts of France.

The "French Paradox" has for a long time fascinated researchers. The fact that French people in the South West tend to have relatively few heart attacks despite a rich diet.  Many studies have suggested that a glass or two of red wine every day is beneficial and this study provides further  strong evidence of this.

Recently, attention focused on a substance called resveratrol, which research showed could help laboratory mice live longer when taken in high doses. But resveratrol occurs in relatively low levels in wine, meaning people would have to drink hundreds of glasses a day to enjoy any possible benefits.

In the latest research, Roger Corder of Queen Mary's School of Medicine in London and colleagues analyzed various components of red wine. They found that substances called procyanidins have the most potent beneficial effect to;

• lower blood pressure,

• decrease platlet aggregation, thus preventing clot formation,

• prevent the oxidation of LDL-cholesterol which causes atherosclerosis.

Moreover, the researchers discovered that levels of procyanidins were highest in red wines produced in south-western France, where French men  live the longest, according to a report in the Nov 2006 issue of the respected journal Nature.

The winemakers of that region use more traditional techniques in which Tannat grapes are soaked with their seeds longer, boosting the procyanidins.

The research suggests that one or two glasses a day of tannat based  Madiran wines made in the traditional manner are the best known wines to drink to get the health benefits.  These wines are up to 10 times more concentrated than new world wines and wines made with many other grape varieties.

Procyanidins are also found in dark chocolate, some apples varieties,  cranberries, walnuts and green tea.

Read the article Wine & Health Research You Should Know.