Wine phenolics: Clinical trials

Abstract

© 2016 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Red wine is a rich source of different phenolic compounds which contribute to sensorial wine characteristics and can exhibit various biological properties. In vitro and animal studies have suggested that phenolics present in wine may exert a wide range of potential beneficial effects to human health, which involves antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, anti-diabetic and anti-cancer activity. In this chapter, available data concerning the most important clinical trials focused on biological effects of wine and wine phenolics, particullary resveratrol, will be summarized. Resveratrol can be found as nutritional supplement in the free sale and it has been proposed as a potential therapeutic to improve cardiovascular health as well as metabolic health. In addition, biological activities of wine, anthocyanins, quercetin as well as food supplements containing grape extract or wine phenolics were also evaluated on humans. The results of clinical trials indicate that wine phenolics have potential cardioprotective activity in patients with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. These compounds could also have positive effect on the circulatory function and could exert anti-diabetic activity in humans, while the anti-cancer activity is still insufficiently tested. Effects on circulatory functions and glycose metabolism were also observed. In order to obtain clear results, the influence of alcohol, wine and individual wine polyphenols on benefitial effects on human health should be analized separately. Some issues remain unsolved, such as the dose and length of treatment that would maximize the biological potential of phenolic compounds present in wine.