Could red wine BOOST your memory? Compound in the drink ‘improves short-term recall and increases brain connections’


  • Resveratrol supplements could prevent cognitive decline in the elderly
  • The supplements are particularly effective in people who are overweight

By
Emma Innes

10:16 EST, 9 June 2014

|

10:30 EST, 9 June 2014

Few people need an excuse to have a glass of wine, but there is now good news for those who do.

A compound found in red wine and dark chocolate could improve memory, scientists say.

German researchers found that resveratrol boosts short-term recall and improves concentration.

A compound found in red wine could boost people’s memories, new research suggests

The scientists, at the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, studied a group of 23 overweight people who took resveratrol supplements for six months, Live Science reports.

Participants took a memory test and had their brains scanned before and after taking the supplement for six months.

The researchers found that these people had better memories after taking the supplement than a second group who were given a placebo.

The people who had taken the supplement were better able to remember a list of words they had seen 30 minutes earlier than those who had not taken it.

Those who took the supplement were also found to have more connections in the areas of the brain involved in memory.

Overweight people were chosen for the study as they have previously been shown to respond more strongly to resveratrol.

Resveratrol – which is also found in dark chocolate – increases the number of brain connections in the area that controls memory and improves short-term recall

The researchers believe their findings suggest taking resveratrol supplements may prevent cognitive decline in elderly people.

Previous research has suggested that it is good for the eye sight and that it can prevent eye disease in later life.

Other studies have implied that it can prevent wrinkles and has anti-ageing properties.

However, recent research has also shown it does not increase longevity.

Comments (31)

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The comments below have not been moderated.

more toast,

forlorn hope, Turkey,

moments ago

Very true! I drink three or four bottles a day and I can’t remember the last time I forgot something.

Puddleduck,

This side of the pond,

13 minutes ago

If I Knew of any Care/Nursing home that would give me a decent ‘Bottle or red’ Before Bed….. I would put my name on the waiting list….. Hmmm I hear Cannabis is good for Pain Relief Too…. I could actually look forward to Old Age.

Morrisfactor,

Seattle,

24 minutes ago

I’ve always wondered if the wine industry is behind all of these recent studies that claim red wine is good for one’s health ? (left out – it’s also bad for your liver). Who’s paying for these studies?

ic3030303030,

somewhere in, Canada,

32 minutes ago

Today red wine good… tomorrow red wine bad…. Repeat

TDD,

Stockport, United Kingdom,

34 minutes ago

I’ll raise a glass to that…or did I just do that?

KimJongUnsStylist,

United Kingdom, United Kingdom,

34 minutes ago

I will look into this claim further

gizzie,

England, United Kingdom,

36 minutes ago

Went shopping today forgot to get the wine.

psalm23,

dudley, United Kingdom,

41 minutes ago

It’s no good drowning your sorrows with red wine then, as you will recall all your problems more than before.

Jim,

Preston,

55 minutes ago

I can’t recall how many glasses I had!!!

donsimon,

Stockport, United Kingdom,

55 minutes ago

They tested just 23 people and concluded stuff?
Stick to making cars you crazy German scientists.

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