Research and health articles

The Power of Procyanidin polyphenol antioxidants

Professor Roger Corder's research

Epidemiological studies revealed that two populations, in southwest France and Sardinia have exceptional longevity. Wines from these regions are significantly higher in polyphenols called procyanidins. In fact up to 10 times more concentrated. The grape varieties and traditional wine-making techniques of the French southwest winemakers increases the concentration of procyanidins in these red wines, particularly in comparison to modern, soft, sweet, anytime drinking red wines.

Corder reports that after two weeks of a daily glass of procyanidin rich red wine positive support for cardiovascular health was observed. The research established the following three significant benefits.

The ground breaking research by Professor Roger Corder and colleagues established that:

♥ Procyanidins lower blood pressure by suppressing endothelin-1, a peptide that has an undesirable vasoconstriction effect, and increasing nitric oxide in the blood causing vasodilation and increasing blood flow

♥ Procyanidins decrease platelet aggregation thus preventing clot formation and blockage of arteries

♥ Procyanidins prevent oxidation of LDL-cholesterol High blood cholesterol levels are a major risk factor for heart disease because LDL-cholesterol can accumulate in the artery wall where after oxidation it causes inflammation and the formation of plaque. When LDL-cholesterol is protected from oxidation it is less likely to cause atherosclerosis.

♥ Very few wines have exceptionally high concentrations of procyanidins Corder tested many wines and identified only a few regions of the world that consistently have the highest concentrations of procyanidins

Diabetes and atherosclerosis are the main focus of Prof Corder's research. These two health problems are closely linked with many diabetics dying prematurely from heart disease.
This research has two main goals -

• discovery of new therapeutic strategies for this ever-increasing health problem, and
• identification of biomarkers of disease that can be used in the early diagnosis of patients before clinically important symptoms develop

These interests led Corder to investigate the importance of improving health and cardiovascular well-being through diet. In recent years Corder has studied the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of regular red wine consumption. His research is providing a wealth of new insights into how polyphenol-rich diets can modify vascular function. It has led to the concept that procyanidins (a particularly abundant type of polyphenol) trigger a response in the vascular endothelium that he has called the pseudo laminar shear stress response. This concept is based on evidence that procyanidins mimic the protective changes in the endothelium induced by the physical shear forces of blood flowing through blood vessels. New functional foods and new medicines to treat endothelial dysfunction and combat vascular disease are likely from further research in this area.

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Wine & Health Symposium, France

 

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Other Procyanidin Research

A steady stream of animal and in vitro studies supplemented by epidemiological evidence and human studies reveal numerous health benefits associated with these compounds. Chief among the benefits is antioxidant protection against heart disease and some cancers.

Procyanidin is expert at treating vascular diseases because it actually increases the structural strength of weakened blood vessels, maintaining their permeability and elasticity. This occurs because procyanidin can help neutralize the underlying chemical cause (free radicals-that cause living cells to be oxidised) that promotes many diseases. procyanidin is one of the most potent antioxidants known -- 50 times more powerful than vitamin E and 20 times more so than vitamin C, according to some tests. Read the Full Report

Perhaps there is significance for our health that with today's prevalence of processed and refined foods, our consumption of procyanidins is much lower than the amount we likely evolved with!

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