Red Wine Protects Brain, Kidneys

CORDOBA, Spain--Intake of red wine protects the brain and kidneys from oxidative stress caused by a high-cholesterol diet, according to research published in Clinical Nutrition (25, 1:146-53, 2006).

Scientists from Universidad de Cordoba and Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia in Spain administered 400 ml/70 kg/d of red wine and a high-cholesterol diet (1.65 percent cholesterol) to rats and monitored levels of brain and kidney oxidative stress as well as antioxidant enzyme activity within the animals. Total cholesterol and lipid peroxidation products in the brain, kidney and erythrocytes decreased significantly, while glutathione content and antioxidant enzyme activities increased. In addition, urinary excretion of urea, creatinine and albumin decreased significantly.

The researchers concluded these results suggest red wine may protect against oxidative stress and hypercholesterolemia in the brain and kidneys.