Dr Victoria Moreno-Arribas, from the Spanish National Research Council in Madrid
"Wine could cure bad breath: Drink destroys bacteria that causes cavities and gum disease, paving the way for new toothpastes and mouthwashes containing the key antioxidant."
Drinking wine may protect teeth by destroying bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease, new research suggests.
Despite many dentists warning booze's acidic content can damage teeth, a study released today suggests antioxidants in wine significantly prevent bacteria that cause plaque, cavities and periodontal disease from sticking to gums.
When these bacteria enter the bloodstream, they can trigger a chain reaction that has been linked to heart disease and cancer.
The latest discovery could lead to the development of 'wine-inspired' toothpastes and mouthwashes that contain such antioxidants, according to the Spanish researchers.
Gum disease affects around three in every four adults in the UK, with symptoms including sore, bleeding gums during brushing.
Results further suggest antioxidants in red wine are more effective than commercially-available grape-seed and red-wine extracts at preventing plaque-causing bacteria from sticking to lab-grown cells in modeled gum tissue.
When digested in the mouth, these antioxidants are thought to produce molecules that may benefit oral health.
Combining the antioxidants with the oral probiotic Streptococcus dentisani further boosts dental health.
Wine and our Brain
Two-and-a-half glasses of wine a day 'cleans' the brain
This comes after research released earlier this month suggested a couple of glasses of wine a day not only clears the mind but cleans it too.
Mice exposed to the equivalent of around two-and-a-half glasses a day are more efficient at removing waste products from the brain that are associated with dementia, a study found today.
The animals, who were given a compound of alcohol known as ethanol, also perform as well as 'teetotal' rodents on cognitive and motor tests, the research adds.
Lead author Dr Maiken Nedergaard from the University of Rochester, said: 'Prolonged intake of excessive amounts of ethanol is known to have adverse effects on the central nervous system.
'However, in this study we have shown for the first time that low doses of alcohol are potentially beneficial to brain, namely it improves the brain's ability to remove waste.'
The researchers did not mention whether red or white wine is most effective at 'cleaning' the brain but add other types of alcohol, including beer, would likely have the same impact.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-5417331/Wine-protect-teeth-destroying-oral-bacteria.html#ixzz57sBLudtm
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Wine and your Health