| Several studies over the last couple of decades have indicated that the chemical in red wine, resveratrol, is an anti-oxidant which is beneficial for the heart and protects against cancer when consumed in moderation. Studies have also shown that the alcohol present in wine has also a significant contribution to this beneficial property.
A recent study now shows that the alcohol has protective qualities, with the ethanol boosting the effectiveness of vaccinations. A daily glass of wine could be beneficial to health after scientists discovered moderate alcohol consumption boosts the immune system and could help fight infections.
Ilhem Messaoudi, an associate professor of biomedical sciences in the School of Medicine at the University of California reportedly says, "For the average person that has, say, a glass of wine with dinner, it does seem in general to improve health and cardiovascular function in particular. Now we can add the immune system to that list."
In order to study the impact of alcohol consumption on the immune system, the researchers trained 12 rhesus macaques monkeys to drink alcohol on their own accord. (These are the monkeys found in South East Asia including Nepal and Northern India-what we see around us in Delhi or the hills in the North are the same species). They were vaccinated against small pox and then allowed to access either 4 percent ethanol or sugar water over a period of nine months.
"Like humans, these monkeys showed highly variable drinking behaviour. Some drank large volumes of ethanol, while others drank in moderation," said Prof Messaoudi.
The researchers found those who were considered heavy drinkers, animals who regularly consumed more than the legal driving limit, became less immune to small pox. Monkeys drinking moderate amounts of ethanol, the equivalent to around a glass of wine a day, displayed a greater immunity than the control group on sugar water.
"These surprising findings indicate that some of the beneficial effects of moderate amounts of alcohol consumption may be manifested through boosting the body's immune system," claims Prof Messaoudi. This supports what several studies have already shown- moderate ethanol consumption results in a reduction in mortality, especially heart diseases.
The professor says that the excessive consumption of alcohol had a significant negative impact on health confirming what is already known through previous studies that excessive consumption is harmful to health. |