Research Suggest Red Wine Could Protect Your Oral health

A new study suggests that drinking red wine might improve your oral health, protect your teeth from decaying and fight gum disease.

Helmed by M. Victoria Moreno-Arribas and a team from Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentación in Madrid, and the Department of Health and Genomics at the Centre for Advanced Research in Public Health in Valencia, these findings have been published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, and suggest that the polyphenols – the compounds found in red wine – can help combat harmful bacteria in the mouth.

“Researchers compared the effects of two polyphenols from red wine against grape seed and red wine extract supplements on bacteria that stick to teeth and gums and cause dental plaque, cavities and gum disease [and] found the wine polyphenols and extracts all reduced the bacteria's ability to stick to the cells, but the polyphenols - caffeic and p-coumaric acids – were more effective,” per a report by the BBC.

“When combined with the Streptococcus dentisani – believed to be an oral probiotic, which stimulates the growth of good bacteria – the polyphenols were even better at inhibiting the pathogenic bacteria,” it continued.

This research could lead to the development of new treatments, which could be life-changing as our oral health can impact everything from our gut, to our mood, our heart health and general wellbeing.

This isn’t the first time the polyphenols in red wine have garnered headlines. The compound itself contains natural health-boosting properties, and, as an antioxidant, helps the body fight free radicals.

Still, the researchers did stipulate that this isn’t a ‘green light’ to enjoy the drop in excess.

As much research suggests, alcohol abuse is linked with cancer, dementia, mental illness and obesity.

Source: Body and Soul