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Daily moderate amounts of red wine or alcohol have no effect on the immune system of healthy men.

Authors :
Watzl, B.
Bub, A.
Pretzer, G.
Roser, S.
Barth, S.W.
Rechkemmer, G.
Source :
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition; Jan2004, Vol. 58 Issue 1, p40-45, 6p
Publication Year :
2004

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:: To investigate whether the daily intake of red wine (RW) at a dose which inversely correlates with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk modulates immune functions in healthy men. DESIGN:: Randomized single-blind trial with four intervention periods. SETTING:: The Institute of Nutritional Physiology, Federal Research Centre for Nutrition, Karlsruhe, Germany. SUBJECTS:: A total of 24 healthy males with moderate alcohol consumption patterns were recruited and all completed the study. INTERVENTION:: Participants consumed 500?ml of RW (12% ethanol (ETOH)) or 500?ml of a 12% ETOH dilution per day for a period of 2 weeks. To control the potential effects of RW polyphenols, accordingly 500?ml/day of dealcoholized red wine (DRW) and of red grape juice (RGJ) were given. The following immune parameters were measured before beverage consumption and at 1 and 2 weeks following beverage consumption: phagocytic activity of neutrophils and monocytes, production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFa), interleukin-2 and -4, transforming growth factor-ß, TNFa mRNA, lymphocyte proliferation, lytic activity of natural killer cells, and percentage of apoptotic lymphocytes. RESULTS:: Consumption of a moderate volume of alcohol with RW and with a 12% ETOH dilution had no effect on immune functions in healthy males. Consumption of polyphenol-rich beverages (DRW and RGJ) did not affect immunity-related parameters. CONCLUSIONS:: Daily moderate consumption of alcohol and of RW for 2 weeks at doses which inversely correlate with CVD risk has no adverse effects on human immune cell functions. Polyphenol-rich beverages such as RGJ and DRW further do not suppress immune responses in healthy men. SPONSORSHIP:: The Federal Ministry of Consumer Protection, Food, and Agriculture, Germany.European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2004) 58, 40-45. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601742 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
09543007
Volume :
58
Issue :
1
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
11724228
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601742