Two new studies take different approaches to explain better heart health with red wine, the first one suggesting that resveratrol decreases obesity by preventing immature fat cells from fully maturing while the second study claims that red wine enhances the health of the cells in blood vessels, both resulting in a stronger and healthier heart.
Published in the July issue of American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the first study has been conducted by scientists at the University of Ulm, Germany, investigated the biological behaviours of resveratrol in human fat cell biology. Researchers hypothesized that resveratrol might decrease obesity by preventing immature fat cells from fully maturing, and also help activate sirtuin 1 (Sirt 1), a protein that protects the heart from inflammation.
Laboratory tests conducted in vitro on human cells, in which cells were managed in a control environment showed that resveratrol influenced the form and function of fat cells. Resveratrol blocked immature fat cells from developing and differentiating, which, in turn, affected their abilities to function. This has been one of the first studies to use human fat cells; earlier studies concentrated on animal fats.
They also found that resveratrol stimulated glucose uptake into human fat cells and blocked molecules from converting into fat. The findings indicate that resveratrol might interfere with obesity and other metabolic effects that could increase the risk for cardiovascular disease.
Researchers suggest resveratrol could offer some therapeutic opportunities in the treatment of obesity. Reducing obesity, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, may also help improve heart health.
Resveratrol is found in the skins of red grapes and has been shown to be a potent biological agent that may offer protection against cardiovascular disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
Red Wine and Blood Vessel Cells
In the second study, researchers from the Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa found that red wine enhanced the health of the cells in blood vessels. They studied 15 healthy adults with a mean age of 29 years who consumed 250 mL (two standard glasses), of red wine everyday for three consecutive weeks. The blood samples at the beginning and end of the three-week study period were evaluated.
The researchers found that daily red wine consumption for 21 consecutive days significantly enhanced vascular endothelial function. This means it improved the health of the cells lining the blood vessels, which then improves blood flow and heart health. Drinking red wine every day also helped reduce cell death.
"The prevalence of cardiovascular disease is low in populations that consume large amounts of red wine," they write. "Moderate consumption of red wine provides cardiovascular protection, but the mechanisms that underlie this protection are unclear."
The researchers suggest that red wine increases nitric oxide bioavailability and triggers a cellular communication process necessary for blood vessels to function. Red wine facilitates cellular communication that then activates this process, say the researchers.
As has become a routine, researchers from the National Institute on Aging in Maryland, reportedly suggest clinical trials are needed to measure the effect of red wine and to assess whether the compounds in red wine can reverse or attenuate established cardiovascular disease.
The studies are only indicative of the positive effects of red wine in moderation and do not delve at the negative factors in drinking two or more glasses. DelWine has always recommended and continues to do so, to have one-two glasses of wine, preferably red and with food every day-Editor .
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