The MiWine and the Market (Four of Four Parts)
- May 30, 2004
- Export Rewards Quality
- ISTAT Italian Wine Production Figures for 2003
- A Vineyard Called Italy
- Wine and Health
4.Wine and Health: a new anti-cancer molecule discovered
Important epidemic research done in the last ten years have categorically proved that moderate consumption of wine helps us live better and longer because of the numerous beneficial effects of many of its components on the human body. Wine (and more generically alcohol) is effective in fighting cardiovascular illnesses, Alzheimer's, and a number of other pathologies. This is so because the
polyphenols
in wine have proven to be helpful in fighting against cardiac and vascular hillnesses sudch as arteriosclerosis, while resveratrol
, which is an important molecule found in grapes and wines, helps keep the cholesterol level in the blood under control and extend cell life.
A recent discovery made at Bordeaux University found that red wines are effective in preventing cancer. Especially red wines aged in oak barrels develop a powerful molecule known as Acutissimina A, which has the characteristics of both flavonoids and tannins. The importance of this molecule is in its inhibiting power over DNA-topoisomerase II, the enzyme fought by anti-cancer treatments. The Acutissimina A inhibits the formation of DNA-topoisomerase II 250 times more than etoposide, the anti-tumor drug currently used in clinical treatments.
Stéfane Quideau, chief researcher at Bordeaux University group that published the result of the study on the German magazine "Angewandte Chemie", one of the most important chemical publications worldwide, said that "It is known that grape juice contains catechin and epicatechin, (flavonoidi isomer substances). While aging, the wine extracts great quantities of aromatic substances from the oak of the barrels, among which is the vescalagina that reacts with the two flavonoidi mentioned above, thus creating the Acutissimina A and an isomer known as epiacutissimina".
| |
Add Italian Wine News headlines like the one below to your web site. Provide your visitors with current news and articles related to Italian wine. Choose from among four the ticker that's best for your web page. |
|
|
