In In recent weeks, headlines have once again appeared on red wine and cardiovascular health. Why do these stories suddenly reappear? This is partly due to an article recently published in the «American Journal of Clinical Nutrition» .
The «Weinflora study«, funded in part by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), was conducted by prominent scientists from institutions in South America, Europe and the United States.The team investigated the effects of red wine on gut flora and plasma levels of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO).
The study
The Weinflora study involved 42 men (mean age 60 years) with confirmed coronary artery disease. The study included two 3-week interventions. In one, participants consumed 250 ml of red wine per day; the red wine tasting had an alcohol content (% v) of 12.75. The Brazilian Wine Institute produced and supplied the red wine: a 2014 Merlot, bottled in August 2016 and tailor-made for the study. The second intervention included alcohol abstinence.
Each intervention was preceded by a 2-week washout period. Because certain foods and beverages could interfere with outcomes, participants were instructed not to consume alcoholic beverages, fermented foods (yogurt, kombucha, soy lecithin, kefir, sauerkraut, and other fermented vegetables), synthetic prebiotics (insulin, fructooligosaccharides), fiber, dairy, food polyphenols (grapes, grape juice, cranberries, strawberries), and probiotics.
For each procedure, the gut microbiota was analyzed using 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing.This method allows the identification of bacterial species. The plasma metabolome of 20 randomly selected participants was evaluated using ultra-high-power LC-MS/MS. In this method, the compounds are separated by liquid chromatography and analyzed with a mass spectrometer.
One of the metabolites of interest was TMAO, which is formed from trimethylamine, which is released during the processing of protein-rich foods by intestinal bacteria. TMAO has been shown to play a role in the development of atherosclerosis.
Results
After drinking red wine, there was a significant remodeling of the gut microbiota, with a difference in beta diversity and a dominance of Parasutterella, Ruminococcaceae, several Bacteroides species and Prevotella. A metabolome analysis of the plasma revealed significant changes in metabolites after red wine consumption, suggesting improved redox homeostasis involved in the oxidative stress that promotes atherosclerosis.However, plasma TMAO levels did not differ between red wine intervention and alcohol abstinence.
Effects
The scientists concluded that modulation of the gut microbiota may contribute to the suspected cardiovascular benefits of moderate red wine consumption. But, as they emphasize in the title of the study, a «red wine intervention» does not alter TMAO in plasma. They also pointed out that the three-week period may have been too short to use the results as a basis for assuming a meaningful change. In addition, the team emphasized that these data are only a hypothesis and pave the way for future research.
In oneInterview , however, the corresponding author of the study, Dr. Protásio Lemos da Luz, warned of the risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption (more than 8.5 ounces or 250 ml of wine daily).
This article was originally published in the Portuguese edition of Medscape.
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Source — https://www.univadis.de/viewarticle/offenbar-unsterblich-wein-und-herzgesundheit-2023a10004x4