Scientists Discover How Red Wine Protects Against Age-Related Disease
One More Reason To Love Red Wine
Rachel Moss— The Huffington Post UK
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Resveratrol, an antioxidant found in nuts, grapes and red wine, has long been associated with a range of health benefits such as cutting the risk of heart disease and boosting memory.
But scientists may now be one step closer to understanding how the compound works to improve health.
In a study published in the journal Nature, researchers found resveratrol may protect the body against age-related diseases by prompting an evolutionary defence mechanism which guards human cells against genetic damage.
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The researchers found that resveratrol mimics another naturally occurring amino acid found in the body called tyrosin when combined with an enzyme called TyrRS - this can occur naturally in the body.
Tyrosin is known to stimulate a response in the body that limits stress and damage to the DNA of cells – which may result in ageing and disease if uninterrupted.
"This stress response represents a layer of biology that has been largely overlooked, and resveratrol turns out to activate it at much lower concentrations than those used in prior studies,” researcher Professor Paul Schimmel of the Scripps Research Institute, California commented on the study.
The combination of resveratrol and TyrRS was also found to activate other protective genes including anti-cancer gene p53, which suppresses tumours and other age-related diseases.
Co-author Matthew Sajish added: "Based on these results, it is conceivable that moderate consumption of a couple of glasses of red wine would give a person enough resveratrol to evoke a protective effect via this pathway.”
Having said that, before you have a guilt-free extra glass of red at Christmas, it's worth remembering that the NHS warn against drinking alcohol in access - it can lead to liver problems, reduced fertility and high blood pressure.
You order rosé no matter the time of year.(01 of11)
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It's classy and respectable to order rosé in the height of summer. It's just plain wrong to order it with a hearty meal in the dead of winter. We hate to say it, but people will probably judge you for being totally oblivious to seasons if you take this route. (credit:Annabelle Breakey via Getty Images)
You order red wine with seafood.(02 of11)
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People might cringe, but they shouldn't. There are plenty of occasions where red wine works well with seafood. Just don't be surprised if you get a few raised eyebrows. (credit:Alejandro Rivera via Getty Images)
You order white wine. Always. Without exception.(03 of11)
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Red wine gives you a headache, or you just don't like the stuff. It's cool. Unfortunately you may get perceived as being unadventurous and possibly even vain. The sad truth is that drinking white wine exclusively automatically makes you a Real Housewife. Sorry, we don't make the rules. We just write 'em. (credit:Brian Macdonald via Getty Images)
You order Lambrusco outside of a pizza restaurant.(04 of11)
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There's a time and place for everything. Lambrusco -- a lightly sparkling red wine that is served slightly chilled -- is best with Italian food, specifically pizza. If you order it when you're eating a burger, you may be judged for being a little bizarre, or just confused about what Lambrusco is. (credit:Landahlauts/Flickr)
You order Champagne... even when you're not celebrating anything.(05 of11)
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Unless you're toasting a special occasion, ordering Champagne will unquestionably get you some looks. We love Champagne as much as the next guy, we really do. But it's special, and not for everyday consumption. Order Champagne out to dinner on a Tuesday and people will think you're a snob. You're asking for it, so just deal with it. (credit:Cultura Travel/Philip Lee Harvey via Getty Images)
You order a white wine spritzer. (06 of11)
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You're old. Nobody's judging here. It's just true. (credit:Bill Boch via Getty Images)
You order the second most expensive bottle on the menu. (07 of11)
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Some people will think you're being savvy, but others will think you're a sucker, because that bottle is a trap. Restaurants know you don't want to order the cheapest bottle; they know you'll go for that second cheapest option. Who knows what they could be trying to pawn off on you. (credit:Don Bayley via Getty Images)
You go to great pains to order orange wine.(08 of11)
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Orange wines are trendy, but they're not mainstream, so you really have to care enough to seek them out. Of course, they're only trendy to the people who pay attention to and believe in wine trends, so you'll either impress or confuse other people when you order them. (credit:Steven Morris via Getty Images)
You order a bottle without asking anyone else what they want.(09 of11)
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Everyone's been out to dinner where someone orders a bottle of wine -- or a few -- without consulting the rest of the table and expects everyone to pitch in. Do this and people will think you're a jerk. Plain and simple. (credit:Johner via Getty Images)
You order knowledgeably. (10 of11)
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You will incite fear and respect in your dinner mates. If you're not actually knowledgable about wine and only pretending, more power to you. No one else you're with knows any better, so good job. (credit:Image Source via Getty Images)
You ask for ice with your red wine.(11 of11)
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Asking for ice with your white wine may not get you looks, but ice for red wine? The only time ice belongs in red wine is if you're drinking sangria. Period. (credit:Foodcollection via Getty Images)