Toasting “To life!” with a glass of red wine may imply more than a simple expression of joie de vivre. New research shows that red wine, along with grapes, pomegranates and certain other fruits, can actually promote long life the same way calorie restriction does—by activating anti-aging genes. (And in a far more pleasurable way.)
A study showed that low doses of resveratrol, a compound in red wine, affects age-related gene expression changes in heart tissue. Like calorie restriction, it switches the body’s biochemical pathways away from fertility and toward tissue maintenance, which confers an advantage during stressful times. (Resveratrol is produced in plants when they are under stress.) The enhanced tissue maintenance has been found to extend life by cutting down on the degenerative diseases of aging. Indeed, other research has found resveratrol to inhibit cancer and help prevent heart disease. (Barger, JL et al. PLoS ONE. 3(6): e2264.)
This new study provides some evidence that the longevity effect may be seen in fairly low doses of resveratrol—about the amount found in about 20 ounces a day (or four glasses) of red wine, says co-author Richard Weindruch, Ph.D., a professor of medicine at the University of Wisconsin. That’s a bit more than we would recommend! However, it’s easy to get that much resveratrol from supplements.
The Anti-Aging Bottom Line: Science is just beginning to unravel how genes play a role in aging. New research shows that resveratrol, a component found in red win and some fruits, can actually trigger your body to switch into "anti-aging" mode. Enjoy your red wine in moderation.
QUICK TIP: Resveratrol may also protect against cancer and even food-borne illness. Learn More
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