Wine Polyphenols Could Fend Off Bacteria That Cause Cavities and Gum Disease!
May 1, 2019
A 2018 study indicates that two red wine polyphenols could fend off bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease near La Grange, IL. Polyphenols are chemical compounds found in natural plant foods. Does this sound too good to be true? Perhaps not. Read on.
Who
The American Chemical Society reported that a study was conducted by M. Victoria Moreno-Arribas and colleagues to find out. The American Chemical Society is a not-for-profit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. ACS is the largest scientific society world wide that provides access to chemistry-related research through multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. ACS does not conduct research. They do, however, publish scientific studies.
The Study
Current evidence suggests that red wine may be good for your colon and heart, due to the abundant and structurally diverse polyphenols. Polyphenol compounds are antioxidents that adversely affect free radicals. Free radicals cause cell damage in humans. As an additional health benefit, these chemical compounds also may interact with intestinal bacteria.
M. Victoria Moreno-Arribas and colleagues wanted to know if wine and grape polyphenols would also protect teeth and gums near La Grange, IL, and how this could work on a molecular level. The researchers tested the effect of two red wine chemical compounds, as well as commercially available grape seed and red wine extracts, on bacteria that stick to teeth and gums and cause dental plaque, cavities near La Grange, IL and periodontal disease near La Grange, IL.
Results
Researchers worked with cells that model gum tissue. The results showed that two chemical compounds, caffeic and p-coumaric acids, successfully cut back on the bacteria's ability to stick to the cells. These compounds were generally better than the total wine extracts. The effects took place both on the bacteria and the cells! When combined with a particular oral bacteria, which is believed to be an oral probiotic, the polyphenols were even better at fighting off the offending bacteria. Please click here to read the full study.
Wine polyphenols could fend off bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. I, for one am excited to see more research supporting the health benefits of wine!
