Animal studies are one of the methods used by scientists and the research community use to determine the advantages and drawbacks of chemical compounds. From pharmaceutical drugs and medicines to nutritional supplements, active ingredients must first be tested in real subjects before confirmed benefits can be established. One such antioxidant currently being tested is called resveratrol. It is a compound found in nature; the skin and seeds of grapes, red wine, some fruits, and nuts. You’ll likely find a product with resveratrol extract in the form of vitamin capsules, tea, or accompanying acai berries in weight loss pills. But does it really work? The researchers have put this antioxidant to the test with some surprising results.

The French are known for their exquisite food and richly-saturated, high-fat meals. It has puzzled scientists and doctors alike because the average American diet is very much like that of the French, but with approximately 30% more instances of heart and cardiovascular disease. The medical community has now discovered, through a series of experiments using resveratrol extract in mice, that the red wine that you drink is the deciding factor in the health of the French person’s lifestyle. In a July 3, 2008 article published on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services web site, researchers reported that the affected obese mice showed less overall cholesterol levels, had stronger aortas, and developed fewer occurrences of heart and cardiovascular disease. This powerful compound seems to mimic some of the health phenomena that result from “caloric restriction”. This is the reason the French can eat the way they do and still remain relatively healthy throughout their lives.

Dr. Sinclair, who participated in the scientific study, cautioned that further studies must be done before associating a direct correlation between results in mice and that which would be experienced in humans. This is because the human body is a much more complex being than a mouse. The benefits of resveratrol extract were also observed in previous findings published, including a study dated June 3, 2008 by the Public Library of Science One. This study found that in addition to the benefits noted above, anti-aging effects were also observed in the animal subjects. This included alteration of the genetic expression of some factors involved in the cellular aging process in the body including slowed aging of cardiac cells.

Resveratrol extract is easy to buy from online stores from the comfort of home with as little as an Internet connection. But just like any other supplement, do the research prior to making a decision to add this supplement to your daily vitamin regimen. The Internet is a free source of reviews, contact information of the institutions that conducted the lab tests, and forums that allow visitors to post questions and read what others are saying. The research is clear; there are many health benefits associated with this amazing compound found in red wine!

Related Red Wine Articles

As we mentioned in previous article, premenstrual syndrome is defined as faulty function of the ovaries related to the women’s menstrual cycle, it effects a women’s physical and emotional state, and sometimes interferes with daily activities as a result of hormone fluctuation. The syndrome occurs one to two weeks before menstruation and then declines when the period starts. In this article, we will discuss how red wine effects women with premenstrual syndrome.

It is recommended that women with PMS drink no more than 150 ml red wine a day
I. Definition
Red wine is an alcoholic beverage made of fermented grape juice without adding sugar, acids, enzyme or other yeasts. Moderate drinking red wine has been existed in Mediterranean cuisines for thousand of year in improving blood circulation in the body and decreasing the risk of heart disease and strokes.

II. How red wine effects women with PMS
1. Blood tonic
(Any food with red color is considered as blood and heart tonic in some traditional medicine). Red wine, in fact helps to release the blood stagnation in the body tissues and organs including the reproductive system thereby, decreasing the risk of premenstrual pain and cramps caused by blood stagnation in the abdominal region and increasing the transportation of nutrients to the nervous cell resulting in lessening the risk of fatigue, loss of concentration, and dizziness.

2. Melatonin
Moderate drinking (no more than 1 cup a day) red wine helps to improve the melatonin hormone thereby, increasing the function of internal clock in regulating “when it’s time to go to sleep and when it’s time to wake up” and lessening the risk of insomnia.

3. Flavonoids
Besides best known for it antioxidants property, it contains epicatechin, quercetin and luteol which also help to increase the digestive function in absorbing vital vitamins and minerals which are found deficient in women with PMS and inhibiting tumour growth.

4. Polyphenols
Red wine contains polyphenols which is a powerful antioxidant containing a polyphenolic substructure it has been used in combating neurodegenerative , some cardiovascular diseases. It also contains a chemical agent having anti-aging effects including slowing the process of skin wrinkling.

5. Resveratol
It also contains high levels of resvertol which is essential for immune system in inhibiting irregular cell growth and fighting against inflammation including the reproductive organs caused by cell oxidation.

finally, it recommend that you drink one to 2 cups of green tea to insure daily body detoxifying and increase production of stomach acid in absorbing vital vitamins and mineral. Green tea contains green tea oxidative agent, but is found to be absorbed by the body before reaching kidney.