A recent study conducted by Henry Ford Hospital in Detriot shows that an ingredient in red grapes and red wine may help prevent and improve hearing loss. The ingredient, resveratrol, has previously been found to help protect the heart from cardiovascular diseases.
“Our latest study focuses on resveratrol and its effect on the body’s response to injury – something that is believed to be the cause of many health problems including Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, ageing and hearing loss,” said the study’s leader, Michael Seidman.
The study was conducted on two groups of mice. One group was given resveratrol and the other group was a control group. Both groups were exposed to loud noise, and the group that received resveratrol suffered significantly less hearing loss than the group deprived of the compound.
Resveratrol works by protecting the body against the inflammatory process that is present in aging, hearing loss and cognition. Red wine has long been recommended by doctors to help protect the body against diabetes, heart disease and Alzheimer’s.
While drinking any alcoholic beverage to excess will cause more harm than good. A glass of red wine with a meal or before bed has benefits that could potentially make the aging process a bit easier for many.
Cheers!
Ramie A. Tritt, MD, President of Atlanta ENT
