Natural compound may fight cancer and heart disease
French researchers have found that a natural chemical found in red wine, fruits and vegetables may be able to prevent cancer and heart disease.
Polyphenols, which are also found in green tea, appear to have different effects depending on the dose given.
Publishing their findings in the FASEB journal, the researchers reveal that high doses of antioxidant polyphenols prevent tumours by stopping the formation of new blood vessels required for their growth.
Low doses, meanwhile, are capable of boosting the growth of new blood vessels in people with heart disease.
Dr Gerald Weissmann, the journal's editor-in-chief, said: "When it comes to finding treatments for complex diseases, the answers are sometimes right there waiting to be discovered in unexpected places like the produce aisles and wine racks of the nearest store.
"But it takes modern science to isolate the pure compound, test it in the lab, and to go on from there to find new agents to fight disease."
The authors also revealed that, while the amount of polyphenols required to stave off cancer would require a person to drink a bottle of red wine each day, it should be possible to extract polyphenols from plants or red wine and convert them into a dietary supplement.
French researchers have found that a natural chemical found in red wine, fruits and vegetables may be able to prevent cancer and heart disease.
