Red Wine May Ward Off Gum Disease
(HealthDayNews, 3/10/06)

When Dr. Fatiah Chandad of Universite Laval in Quebec City, and her colleagues, tested red wine polyphenols on laboratory samples of mouse cells, the researchers found that these compounds inhibit free radicals. The investigators say that this antioxidant effect may ward off periodontal disease, which progresses when bacteria attack the gums, causing inflammation, which produces damaging free radicals that create further inflammation. The scientists speculate that, by breaking this inflammatory cycle, the wine components may halt the breakdown of gum and bone tissue, which is characteristic of gum disease.

(American Association for Dental Research annual meeting, Orlando, March 2006)