Wine and Well-being Convention
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Marsala, Trapani – The Palavetro, where the event took place |
Promoted by the province of Trapani on the occasion of the second regional exposition entitled "Wine Sicily”, the convention highlighted the latest scientific discovery about positive effects of wine: moderate drinking, that is one or two glasses per day with the meals may lower from 20% to 30% the risk of contracting cardiovascular diseases, inhibit the formation of some tumoral diseases, Alzheimer's, and other illnesses linked to aging.
| The round table saw the participation of the following personalities: |
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According to professor Bertelli, after the discovery of the French paradox the scientific community started a serious debate to identify which wine components might be responsible for positive effects on the human body, focusing especially on resveratrol. The fact that by separating the resveratrol from the wine, its beneficial effects were not as marked as when consumed as wine was often overlooked, though. This is because the positive effects are the result of the synergy of this component and other polyphenols found in wine.
"Catechin, polyphenols, quercetins, cinnamates and some stilbene," said Bertelli, "all together contribute to the relation between wine and well-being. The study of these molecules highlighted effects similar to that of estrogens on one end, and to that of a non-steroid anti-inflamatory compound on the other.”
Jean-Claude Ruf, representative of the OIV (Office International de la Vigne e du Vin, or 'International Office of Vineyards and Wine' in French) spoke about the positive effects of wine on cardiopathy, tumors, mortality, and Alzheimer's. As the World Health Organization is looking at the negative effects of alcohol, the OIV, representing 39 countries on five continents, is ready to step forward to avoid the lumping of wine with other alcoholic beverages. In fact, Ruf presented a comparative study focusing especially on the effects of wine and beer on the pathologies listed above. The study shows how the risk of heart attack is lowered from 30% to 40% in people who drink moderate quantities of wine daily, while for beer drinkers the risk diminishes only from 10% to 15%. As for the development of breast and ovarian cancer, the study highlights a 20% lower risk in wine drinkers, whereas there are no protective effects for beer drinkers. The antioxidant effect of wine appears to act positively also in the development of Alzheimer's.
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Giulia Adamo, Provincial President of Trapani, whose administration organized the event |
Professor Naranjan S. Dhalla spoke about the synergic effects of the wine components. According to Dhalla, red wines in particular have a stronger protective cardiovascular effect.
"Such protection," explained Dhalla, "is the result of the combined action of alcohol and other anti oxidants contained in wine. The moderate consumption of this product lowers the cerebral stress and affects the nervous system. Thus there is a reduction of arterioscleroses thanks to the action of proanthocyanidin found in grape skins.”
Roberto Magnesi from Case Vinicole di Sicilia introduced a study that focused on the higher and better quality content of antocians in Sicilian native grapes, both compared to other Italian and international varieties. In particular, the study took into consideration the Nero d’Avola, Cabernet, Merlot, and Nerello Mascalese grapes. The research showed how the level of the compound, in addition to the grape variety, is affected by the production area as well. Among the grape varieties analyzed, the Nero d’Avola showed the higher content of antocians, in particular the vineyards grown in the Riesi area.
Professor Nicolin of Milan's University highlighted the preventive action of wine toward cancer pathologies, explaining the need of deeper research into the effects of resveratrol and its possible toxicity in the long run. Such research is currently not made because of the high cost.
Gastroenterology expert, Giuseppe Salvatore Trapani, spoke about "SIBO" (Sindrome da Contaminazione Batterica Intestinale, or Intestine Bacterial Contamination Syndrome) and the Mediterranean diet from Pantelleria island, including passito dessert wine produced on the island.
The study that he introduced was based upon the fact that the island inhabitants use fewer drugs, have less hospital confinement and fewer malignant tumors compared to the rest of Italy. Beneficial effects are derived from the local alimentation, based largely on organic vegetables, extra virgin olive oil, tomatoes and, quite naturally, a glass of wine, especially the local passito dessert wine.
"Fibers and wine," said the gastroenterologist, "contain prebiotics and natural probiotics. In a liter of fermenting must, there are 100 billion yeasts that have a cleansing effect over free radicals. All wines have a potential effect similar to that of yogurt (on free radicals), but the passito and fortified wines have a stronger effect, especially the passito made with Moscato and Zibibbo grapes. By drinking these wines and following the Mediterranean diet, it is possible to prevent and reduce the resurgence of certain intestine pathologies, starting with SIBO, which today affect about 100 million people.”
| Translated by WineCountry.IT |
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