1 reply to this topic

[maseratiman]

Hello everyone,

Although many people here have known about the possible benefits red wine has on your heart, resveratrol, a component isolated from grape skin in wine and also found in nuts, is being investigated for anti-cancer properties. In the paper "Fighting Cancer with Red Wine? Molecular Mechanisms of Resveratrol" published in 2009, the authors review recient work on identifying the molecular pathways resveratol modifies to limit initiation and progression of cancer. Although I cannot post the entire paper, the publicly available abstract and subscription link are provided below. Yet another reason to drink to your health!

Abstract:

Resveratrol, a red wine constituent, has been known for its cardioprotective effects. Recent data give ample evidence that resveratrol can act as a chemopreventive agent as well. Tumor initation, promotion, and progression are affected by resveratrol via multiple pathways, which are discussed in this review. Resveratrol has anti-inflammatory effects by counteracting NF-kappa B and AP-1 transcription and can prevent bioactivation of procarcinogens by interacting with drug metabolizing enzymes. Furthermore, resveratrol exerts antioxidant activities, hence contributing to the prevention of tumor initiation. Growing or metastasizing carcinomas are inhibited by resveratrol through prevention of angiogenesis by inhibiting VEGF and matrix metalloproteases. Induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, important mechanisms for cancer therapy, are stimulated by resveratrol through different mechanisms, e.g., activation of p53 and modulation of cell cycle proteins. Although there has been remarkable evidence for resveratrol as a potent chemopreventive agent in vitro, it seems that the low bioavailability of resveratrol in humans could interfere with a successful in vivo treatment. Nevertheless, resveratrol offers two major advantages over conventional chemotherapy. The cytotoxic effects of resveratrol on healthy cells can be neglected, and, as several pathways leading to chemotherapeutic effects are activated by resveratrol, chemoresistance-inducing mutations in cancer cells can be overcome.


http://pdfserve.informaworld.com/843704_731196605_915582861.pdf

-Marc

[Daniel Pambianchi]

I think that wine is part of a balanced diet to supplement other sources of resveratrol. There is however too little of it in wine to really make a significant health impact on its, as far as resveratrol is concenred. But red wine is rich in polyphenols, specifically procyanidins, which provide important health benefits.