Share

Resveratrol in wine and chocolate could help prevent osteoporosis

accreditation

Pour that glass of red wine, tuck into that dark chocolate and ditch the guilt – a little indulgence is good for your bones!

A new study has found that resveratrol, a natural anti-inflammatory compound found in red grapes, nuts and other foods, may contribute to better bone density and could be used to prevent or treat osteoporosis.

A Danish study, published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism in 2014 found that resveratrol has a positive effect on bones by stimulating growth and mineralisation.

The study examined 74 middle-aged, obese men suffering from metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a term used to describe people who have a number of risk factors for heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke, the Health24's DietDoc explains.

Previous research published in Bone in November 2013, found that men with metabolic syndrome are at risk of osteoporosis due to low-grade inflammation associated with the condition.

Read: Is milk actually bad for your bones?

For this study, the participants were split into three groups: one group receiving a high dose of resveratrol (1000 mg), another group receiving a low dose (150 mg) and the last group receiving a placebo each day for 16 weeks.

The results showed that both bone density and bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) increased with resveratrol supplementation. BAP is a reliable indicator of bone remodelling and formation, according to Mayo Medical Laboratories.

The increases were dependent on the doses, meaning that the participants on the highest dose of resveratrol showed the greatest increase in BAP and bone density.

Head researcher, Dr Marie Juul Ørnstrup told Medscape that she believes these findings are applicable to more than just men with metabolic syndrome. Should this be true, resveratrol supplementation could be used to increase or maintain bone density, thus treating or preventing osteoporosis.

Other health benefits

While a lot more research on the topic is needed, an article published in the Annals of the New York Academy of Science indicates that resveratrol has shown beneficial effects against a number of other conditions such as:

-          Hypertension

-          Coronary heart disease

-          Diabetes

-          Atherosclerosis

-          Stroke

Read: Red wine fights diabetes and obesity

Which foods are good sources of resveratrol?

If you’re interested in boosting your resveratrol intake, the Livestrong Foundation suggests adding more of these foods to your diet:

·         Red grapes, red grape juice and red wine

·         Peanuts and peanut butter

·         Berries such as cranberries, blueberries and pomegranates

·         Dark chocolate

While this all sounds extremely promising, like anything, it is important not to overdo it. Harvard Health suggests that very little is understood when it comes to the side effects of supplementing with resveratrol. They urge consumers to rather get their resveratrol the natural way – by increasing your intake of the foods listed above rather than simply popping pills that contain extremely high doses.

Read more:

Red wine may help you live longer

Why vitamin D is good for you

5 interesting facts about osteoporosis

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE