There’s been some research that resveratrol – the chemical in red grapes, and in turn wine – is a powerful antioxidant that can reduce inflammation in various parts of the body. And a new study shows that resveratrol may have a protective effect in preventing noise-induced hearing loss.
The study was conducted by researchers at the Henry Ford Health system and published in the May 2013 edition of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. In the study on rats, when given resveratrol before being exposed to long-lasting loud noises, the animals were less likely to suffer long-term NIHL.
The director of Otologic/Neurologic Surgery at Henry Ford Hospital, Dr. Michael Seidman, said the findings are significant in more ways than one:
“We’ve shown that by giving animals resveratrol, we can reduce the amount of hearing and cognitive decline,” he said.
Other research
This isn’t the first study to find positive health effects of resveratrol and red wine. Other studies have suggested that red wine has heart-healthy benefits due to these antioxidants, which might help protect the linings of the hearts’ blood vessels. Other studies have found that resveratrol might reduce the risk of blood clotting and inflammation in the heart. Other studies suggest that because resveratrol controls inflammation, it can reduce one’s risk of various types of cancer and other inflammatory diseases.
Still, it’s important to know that this research doesn’t advocate drinking a lot of red wine. There are still risks to drinking alcohol, including addiction and the worsening of other possible health problems. Although the American Heart Association and other groups don’t recommend drinking red wine just for its heart-healthy benefits, if you do enjoy red wine, you shouldn’t worry about drinking it in moderation!
