A new study indicates that its powers extend to liver health, too. According to the results of an animal trial, resveratrol, a compound naturally found in grape skin and berries, may also help treat fatty liver, a condition associated with excessive alcohol consumption. It is characterized by the build-up of excess fat in the liver cells, which may lead to inflammation and liver damage.

Could the resveratrol in red wine protect the liver form the negative effects of the alcohol in the same drink? The alcoholics will rejoice if it were so, but I doubt it.

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Resveratrol May Help Against Fatty Liver

According to the in vitro study, resveratrol triggered the death of cancer cells by acting on the cell membranes and mitochondria.

Laboratory experiments showed that resveratrol:

• Reduced the function of proteins in the pancreatic cancer cell membranes that are responsible for pumping chemotherapy out of the cell, making the cells chemo-sensitive.
• Triggered the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are substances circulating in the human body that have been implicated in a number of diseases: when ROS is increased, cells burn out and die.
• Caused apoptosis, which is likely the result of increased ROS.
• Depolarized the mitochondrial membranes, which indicates a decrease in the cell’s potential to function. Radiation alone does not injure the mitochondrial membrane as much.

Source: EurekAlert

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Resveratrol Induces Pancreatic Cell Death

If those don’t make resveratrol a superfood compound, preliminary laboratory tests indicate that it may also help prevent diabetic complications such as heart disease, retinopathy and nephropathy.

“Resveratrol’s antioxidant effects in the test tube are well documented but our research shows the link between high levels of glucose, its damaging effect on cell structure, and the ability of resveratrol of protect against and mend that damage.”

“Resveratrol or related compounds could be used to block the damaging effect of glucose which in turn might fight the often life threatening complications that accompany diabetes. It could well be the basis of effective diet-based therapies for the prevention of vascular damage caused by hyperglycaemia in the future.”

The study has been published this week in the journal, Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.

Photo: by Zest-pk via Flickr

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Resveratrol May Prevent Diabetes Complications