Red wine can prevent the development of cavities, new research suggests
Few people need an incentive to tuck into a glass of wine with their dinner.
But, there is good news for anyone looking for an excuse to have a tipple.
New research has today revealed red wine could protect against cavities.
Research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry revealed grape seed extract also prevents cavities.
And, the researchers say the discovery could lead to the development of natural products to ward off dental diseases.
Maria Victoria Moreno-Arribas, from the Spanish National Research Council, and her colleagues explain that dental diseases are extremely common throughout the world.
They say cavities, gum disease and tooth loss affect an estimated 60 to 90 per cent of the global population.
The problems start when certain bacteria in the mouth get together and form biofilms, which are communities of bacteria that are difficult to kill.
They form plaque and produce acid, which starts damaging the teeth.
Brushing, fluoride in toothpaste and water and other methods can help get rid of bacterial plaques, but the effects are limited.
Research has previously suggested that grape seed extract and wine can slow the growth of bacteria prompting the research team to try and establish whether they could prevent cavities.
They grew cultures of bacteria responsible for dental diseases as a biofilm.
They then dipped the biofilms for a couple of minutes in different liquids, including red wine, red wine without the alcohol, red wine spiked with grape seed extract, water and 12 per cent ethanol.
Red wine with or without alcohol and wine with grape seed extract were the most effective at getting rid of the bacteria.
Red wine can help remove bacteria from the teeth. These bacteria produce acid that damages the teeth over time causing cavities to develop
However, not all recent research has been good for wine drinkers.
Last week another study suggested there is no evidence that red wine increases people's lifespans.
The study failed to find any evidence that resveratrol, an ingredient found in the skin of red grapes and in chocolate, is linked to long life.
The antioxidant is believed to have a range of anti-ageing properties.
But, researchers at John Hopkins University School of Medicine, in Baltimore, say levels found in the body had no ‘substantial influence’ on inflammation, cardiovascular disease, cancer or longevity.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2636204/Good-news-Red-wine-good-TEETH-Study-finds-help-prevent-cavities.html#ixzz32U0zDruu
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