14 DAY TRIAL // Now that Valentine's Day is once again upon us, wine makers can expect to sell a whole lot of bottles of red, either to people looking to celebrate their love or to guys and gals hoping to forget about a failed relationship.
The thing is that, according to a new study in the journal Scientific Reports, red wine might not be the perfect ally for guys and gals looking to wipe their memory cards. On the contrary, evidence indicates that red wine can prevent memory loss.
How red wine affects brain activity
Researchers with the Texas A&M University in the US say that, having carried out a series of experiments, they found that a compound that is naturally occurring in red wine, peanuts and berries has positive effects on the human brain.
More precisely, they claim that the compound in question, identified as resveratrol, improves the activity of the hippocampus, which is a region of the brain previously shown to be involved in learning and memory formation/retrieval processes.
Interestingly enough, this compound appears to also benefit the cardiovascular system. Thus, several investigations carried out over the years have found evidence that resveratrol has the potential to prevent heart disease and other conditions that affect the cardiovascular system.
Researcher Ashok K. Shetty and colleagues say that, after administering resveratrol to a group of laboratory rats, they noticed that the rodents all experienced an improvement in their ability to form new memories. Even better, this improvement was documented in rather old rats.
Using red wine to fight back memory loss
Given the encouraging outcome of this series of experiments carried out on laboratory rats, the Texas A&M University specialists argue that, all things considered, it might be possible to use resveratrol to prevent memory decline associated with aging.
Otherwise put, the scientists imagine using this compound that is found in red wine, berries and peanuts to help elderly individuals have an easier time forming and retrieving memories. Mind you, Ashok K. Shetty and his team believe that the compound could even fight neurodegenerative disorders.
“The results of the study were striking. Both spatial learning and memory improved in the resveratrol-treated rats. The study provides novel evidence that resveratrol treatment in late middle age can help improve memory and mood function in old age,” the researcher said in a statement, as cited by Science Daily.