The pure form of a chemical compound found in red wine and dark chocolate can slow down Alzheimer's progression, based on a new study's findings. It was the biggest nationwide clinical trial to examine the long-term effects of high-dose resveratrol in patients having mild to moderate cases of the cognitive disease that is a type of dementia.
The study was published September 11, Friday in the journal Neurology. Lead author Dr. R. Scott Turner is the director of the Memory Disorders Program at the Georgetown University Medical Center.
Resveratrol is a chemical compound found naturally in various foods. They include red grapes, dark chocolate, raspberries, and some red wines.
Researchers discovered that patients who took a pure form of resveratrol experienced a drop in Alzheimer's progression. A certain biomarker (indicator of a disease's state) became stable.
The researchers included 119 volunteers in their study. One gram of the highest resveratrol dosage used, equal to around 1,000 bottles of red wine, was ingested twice daily.
Study participants who received increased resveratrol doses during 12 months showed small or no changes in their Abeta40 (protein) levels, according to Nature World Report. However, volunteers who took a placebo showed a decrease in Abeta40 levels.
A drop in Abeta40 levels happens when Alzheimer's disease progresses and dementia worsens. Dr. Turner described the study's findings as fascinating. However, he explained that they do not justify recommending the use of resveratrol, as additional studies are required.
Red wine's resveratrol level is quite low. However, other studies have shown that drinking low or moderate amounts of alcoholic drinks reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease by 50 percent.
Resveratrol has been tested on other age-related disorders. They include diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Cognitive decline occurs when a person's ability to do particular mental tasks worsens faster than in healthy people. This increases the risk of accidents and injuries.
Over 5 million United States' residents have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, according to Santa Fe-New Mexican. It is the top cause of dementia.
This video lists some of the health benefits of grapes: