Could a glass of red wine boost your oral health?

Sample News Big

Red wine has been linked to health benefits such as a lower risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes in the past, but new research suggests that it could also boost your oral health.

A new study claims that compounds in red wine known as polyphenols can help to eliminate harmful bacteria from the mouth, reducing the risk of gum disease and dental decay.

The study, which has been published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, focuses on two types of polyphenols that are found in red wine, caffeic and p-coumaric acids. The research team wanted to see if the polyphenols benefited oral health. During a trial, researchers evaluated the impact of polyphenols found in red wine compared to grape seed and red wine extract. The aim was to analyse the effects on bacteria that cling to the teeth and gums and contribute to decay and gum disease.

The research team discovered that all polyphenols found in extracts and wine made it more difficult for bacteria to stick to the teeth and gums, but the two polyphenols found in red wine, caffeic and p-coumaric, were most effective. The results were even more pleasing when the polyphenols were combined with Streptococcus dentisani, an oral probiotic, which is designed to stimulate the production of healthy bacteria.

Professor Damien Walmsley, scientific adviser to the British Dental Association, said that the findings of the study were “interesting” but insisted that they shouldn’t be a catalyst for increased alcohol consumption.

Join this Discussion

Comments are closed.