Not everyone is super fond of red wine, but we can all admit that just one glass after a long day is bound to make you feel a lot happier. At least, that's what most people claim. However, a new study has found that there just might be some truth to these claims. A new study from the University of Buffalo states that there's a plant compound called resveratrol which is found in red wine. Now, what might this compound do, you ask? Turns out, it has an anti-stress effect.
Apparently, this compound can block a particular enzyme that has stressful effects on the brain. Multiple surveys were held by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America which found that nearly 16 and 14 million people are affected by depression and anxiety in just the United States. Imagine how many people might be affected in the world. The co-lead author of the study, Ying Xu, M.D., Ph.D., said that the effects of resveratrol were so good that it could be used as an alternative to normal medication prescribed for depression and anxiety.
The compound resveratrol is often found in the seeds and skin of grapes and berries. And this is why wine is said to have anti-stress effects since it is majorly made from grapes and berries. However, the researchers pointed out that the relation between the compound and phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) is still unknown. For those uninitiated, (PDE4) is a compound which is affected by the stress hormone known as corticosterone.
Corticosterone is known to regulate the amount of stress released in the body. However, when a person experiences too much stress, this hormone can be produced in excess which can lead to the development of mental disorders like depression and anxiety. As of now, it is unknown how PDE4 will react to resveratrol and this is why most medication is focused on functions of the brain that include the production of serotonin and noradrenaline.
The researchers also pointed out that only one-third of the patients who underwent medication for depression and anxiety were able to recover completely. However, they also stated that red wine should not be considered as an alternative since it could lead to other health issues. Stay tuned for more updates. One more major issue with red wine consumption is that in high doses it could also lead to addiction which would create a whole new issue. So, while one glass of wine shouldn’t do any harm, one must abstain from consuming too much. Stay tuned for more updates.
