We’ve known for a long time that red wine and dark chocolate can prevent sadness and boredom. Researchers a few years back suggested that the antioxidant resveratrol present in both treats might have heart benefits, although the significance of those claims is still being interrogated. Now, scientists are examining the possibility that resveratrol might work to prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s or slow its progression in existing cases.
RESVERATROL AND ALZHEIMER’S
Scientists at Georgetown University have observed a relationship between resveratrol treatments and a protein called amyloid-beta40, which is a biomarker for Alzheimer’s. The results of this study were published Friday in the journal Neurology.
Usually, the amount of Abeta40 present in a person’s cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tends to decline as Alzheimer’s gets worse. Although the exact cause of this correlation has yet to be established, scientists hypothesize that Abeta40 buildups in the brain might cause Alzheimer’s symptoms and account for its absence in the CSF.
In the most recent study, researchers had one group of patients with Alzheimer’s take a medication derived from resveratrol every day for a year, while a control group took a placebo. The study only involved about 120 subjects–quite a small sample size relative to most research of significance. Still, they did establish that patients taking the placebo medication experienced the predicted Abeta40 decline in the CSF, while those receiving the resveratrol treatments showed little to no change in their Abeta40 levels.
MORE WORK TO BE DONE
The small size of the study, however, means that a lot more work has to be done before the potential benefits of resveratrol treatments can be either confirmed or denied. Researchers still aren’t sure exactly why the compound is related to the Abeta40 protein, although they think it might activate anti-aging proteins called sirtuins. (If this is true, it could explain some of the other health benefits of resveratrol-containing foods, like dark chocolate and your favorite Chianti.)
This study also didn’t indicate any notable impact of resveratrol treatments on the progression of Alzheimer’s symptoms. Participants took cognitive tests throughout the course of the study, and the test results did not ultimately show any difference in cognitive abilities between the two treatment groups.
WINE AND CHOCOLATE ARE MORE FOR ENJOYMENT
The link that these researchers established is tentative and preliminary to be sure. But it is promising enough to justify further studies, and every small conclusion can add up to bring us that much closer to the answer.
We should add that the amount of resveratrol present in the study treatment was FAR more than could ever be consumed through food sources, unless you’re an EXTREMELY ambitious drinker–the dosage was equivalent to the resveratrol found in about 1,000 bottles of red wine. So for now, we recommend following researcher Dr. Richard Semba’s advice. He suggests, “Don’t eat chocolate and drink red wine because of the resveratrol. You should do it because you enjoy it and it enhances your life.”
Don’t have to tell us twice! But still, here’s to hoping that one day scientists find it actually CAN prevent Alzheimer’s.
SUNLIGHT IS ALSO GOOD FOR YOUR BODY
Red Wine and Chocolate Could Prevent Alzheimer"s
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