New study by DSM Nutritional Products and LifeGen Technologies show that a compound in red wine is found to keep hearts young

New scientific studies conducted by LifeGen Technologies, LLC, a leading genomics company based in Madison, WI in collaboration with Swiss-based DSM Nutritional Products indicate that low doses of resveratrol, a natural constituent of red wine may have significant health benefits for the heart and other organs. Specifically, the researchers found that low doses of resveratrol in the diet of middle-aged mice mimic the effects of caloric restriction (diets with 20-30 % fewer calories), which is the only intervention that has been shown to extend life in mammals. “This is the first time that any ingredient has been shown to mimic caloric restriction to this extent,” says Dr. Ying Wang, a contributing author to the report and a Research Scientist at DSM Nutritional Products.

New scientific studies conducted by LifeGen Technologies, LLC, a leading genomics company based in Madison, WI in collaboration with Swiss-based DSM Nutritional Products indicate that low doses of resveratrol, a natural constituent of red wine may have significant health benefits for the heart and other organs. Specifically, the researchers found that low doses of resveratrol in the diet of middle-aged mice mimic the effects of caloric restriction (diets with 20-30 % fewer calories), which is the only intervention that has been shown to extend life in mammals. “This is the first time that any ingredient has been shown to mimic caloric restriction to this extent,” says Dr. Ying Wang, a contributing author to the report and a Research Scientist at DSM Nutritional Products. “ Our findings also revealed that resveratrol helped to prevent the decline in heart function which is a natural result of aging.” The discovery is doubly important because, as Dr. Tomas Prolla, a professor of genetics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a senior author of the report explains, “ Resveratrol is active in much lower doses than previously thought.” Previous research had indicated that resveratrol in high doses extends lifespan in invertebrates and helps prevent early mortality in mice consuming a high-fat diet. The new studies extend these findings, suggesting that resveratrol in low doses may elicit many of the same health benefits as a reduced-calorie diet. Researchers now believe that dietary supplements or foods that contain even small amounts of resveratrol may significantly promote cardiovascular health. It may also help to explain the so-called “French paradox” - the phenomenon whereby the red-wine-drinking inhabitants of certain regions of France experience low rates of heart disease although their traditional diet is high in saturated fats. DSM Nutritional Products has recently released Resvida™, a high-purity form of resveratrol which is ideal for use in many types of dietary supplement, food and beverage formulations. “Resvida™ is an important part of our Functional Foods ingredient portfolio, and with the growing trend towards healthy lifestyle and wellness products we have big expectations for Resvida™” explains Garnet Pigden, Senior VP - Functional Foods Marketing Group.