Study Rules Out Resveratrol As Reason For Red Wine’s Heart-Protective Benefit

A 15-year U.S. study of people in Italy whose diet includes regular intake of resveratrol found that the compound is not associated with an extended lifespan or reduced risk of cardiovascular disease or cancer. For many years now resveratrol has been touted as a sort of miracle nutrient because cultures that drink red wine, which contains significant amounts of resveratrol, seem to live longer and have less heart disease. The researchers, however, could find no evidence  that resveratrol was the reason. They acknowledged that drinking red wine, eating chocolate and berries is associated with reduced risk of heart problems. But some other ingredient, so far unknown, is probably providing the protective benefit.