Glass of red could undo the effects of exercising
Older men who enjoy a glass of red wine could be undoing the benefits of regular exercise, a study has found.
A natural antioxidant found in red grapes – resveratrol – may block many of the cardiovascular benefits of exercise including reduced blood pressure and cholesterol, scientists discovered to their surprise.
Resveratrol has been acclaimed as a possible anti-ageing compound.
Much has been made of its role in explaining the benefits of red wine for the heart and blood vessels.
But research at Copenhagen University suggests that for older people it may actually block the benefits of exercise.
Chemicals in the body thought to cause ageing and disease may also trigger healthy adaptations in response to exercise, according to the study published in The Journal of Physiology.
Project leader Professor Ylva Hellsten said: “We were surprised to find resveratrol supplementation in aged men blunts the positive effects of exercise on cardiovascular health.”