Results of a recent study suggest that a molecule found in red wine may help to protect the brain against Alzheimer’s Disease. Dr Egemen Savaskan of the University of Basel in Switzerland and colleagues studied the effects of resveratrol, an antioxidant thought to be responsible for many of the purported benefits of red wine, on brain cells. Results showed that resveratrol protected the cells from beta-amyloid induced oxidative damage by mopping up cell-damaging free radicals. However, resveratrol did not protect the cells from oxidative stress that was not caused by beta-amyloid. Savaskan stresses that although the findings suggest that resveratrol may help to protect against Alzheimer’s, it is not a good idea for seniors to drink red wine in a bid to stave off the disease as alcohol can be toxic to brain cells.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.reutershealth.com on the 31st December 2003.
