This particular type of red wine prevents high levels of beta-amyloid peptides in the brain

Sep 19, 2006 10:26 GMT  ·  By

A recent study carried out by scientists at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine found that drinking Cabernet Sauvignon red wine moderately cuts the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The study is entitled 'Moderate Consumption of Cabernet Sauvignon Attenuates ?-amyloid Neuropathology in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease' and is due to be presented at the October 'Society for Neuroscience Meeting' in Atlanta, Georgia.

Researchers involved in the study pointed out the fact that moderate consumption of red wine is approved by the FDA and can be extremely beneficial for adults and older people, as a glass or two of wine taken daily can prevent Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The team also stated that people should follow the dietary guidelines stipulated by the FDA - women to drink one glass of red wine daily and men two glasses of red wine per day.

Dr. Giulio Maria Pasinetti and Dr. Jun Wang researchers at the Mount Sinai said: "Our study is the first to report that moderate consumption of red wine in a form of Cabernet Sauvignon delivered in the drinking water for ~7 months significantly reduces AD-type ?-amyloid neuropathology, and memory deterioration in ~11-month-old transgenic mice that model Alzheimer's Disease. This study supports epidemiological evidence indicating that moderate wine consumption, within the range recommended by the FDA dietary guidelines of one drink per day for women and two for men, may help reduce the relative risk for Alzheimer's Disease clinical dementia."

Alzheimer's is a severe neurodegenerative disease which causes the deterioration of brain cells and leads to the decline of the cognitive function. It mostly occurs in elders and brings about clinical dementia, a more serious form of brain and mental ability damage.

Mount Sinai scientists explained that Cabernet Sauvignon red wine is very efficient in preventing Alzheimer's disease, because it lowers the increased levels of beta-amyloid peptides building up in the brain and causing neurons damage. Usually, individuals who suffer from Alzheimer's have high levels of beta-amyloid peptides in the brain, which causes the formation of a plaque destroying neurons.

In conclusion, people should drink moderately - not abusively - red wine in the form of Cabernet Sauvignon, in order to prevent the brain plaque from forming and attacking brain cells. "These findings give researchers and millions of families a glimpse of light at the end of the long dark tunnel for future prevention of this disease," concluded leader of the study Dr. Giulio Maria Pasinetti.