Resveratrol, het ‘toverstofje’ in rode wijn, blijkt nou ook al een probaat middel tegen het verlies van bot-dichtheid. Dat verlies kan optreden in geval van microgravity, vrij vertaald: bij vrije val, zoals astronauten die beleven. Lees wat Franse onderzoekers vonden:

Red Wine Can Resist Effects of Microgravity: Study

Red Wine Can Resist Effects of Microgravity: StudyA group of researchers in France have claimed that consuming red wine can successfully resist some of the most common physiological effects of microgravity.

The scientists claim that it is the same old resveratrol that is doing the trick once again. It is well known that resveratrol, an antioxidant found in red wine prevents blood clots, lowers ‘bad’ cholesterol levels and helps protect blood vessels. The new finding suggests that resveratrol can also prevent bone density loss and muscle atrophy which are some negative effects of microgravity.

According to Discovery News, the researchers placed a group of rays in a simulated microgravity environment for extended periods. Half of the rats received doses of resveratrol and the other half did not. The rats that did not get the supplement showed loss of bone and muscle density along with the early signs of pre-diabetes (insulin resistance).

Gerald Weissman, editor of the scientific journal which published the study, told CBS News that resveratrol flips a switch for cell metabolism that lets the cells breath internally.

The study is detailed in Journal of the Federation of the American Societies for Experimental Biology.