Brush, floss and raise a glass of red to your teeth

[Neil D]

The Times March 11, 2006

By Nigel Hawkes Health Editor

RED wine could help to protect teeth by staving off gum disease, according to Canadian scientists.

But non-drinkers need not fret. The components found in red wine are also in cranberry juice, as a team from the Université Laval, in Quebec, reported yesterday at a meeting of the American Association for Dental Research in Orlando, Florida.

Periodontitis is a common cause of tooth loss because it affects the bones as well as the gums, loosening teeth. About14 per cent of people between the ages of 21 and 50, and 65 per cent of those over 50 suffer from the disease.

The disease is caused by bacteria that stimulate the immune cells and release highly active oxygen free radicals. The Quebec team, led by Daniel Grenier, say that the antioxidants in many fruits and vegetables — and in red wine — can counter the free radicals.

The antioxidants involved are called polyphenols. The research, reported in the March issue of the Journal of Dental Research, shows that polyphenols are effective in scavenging the free radicals and reducing the inflammatory responses provoked by the bacteria.

The antioxidant properties of red wine polyphenols could be useful in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory periodontal diseases as well as other disorders involving free radicals, the researchers conclude.

In the published study they used an extract of cranberry juice to test the effects of polyphenols on the immune response from a range of bacteria commonly found in the mouth.

They found that cranberry juice was a potent inhibitor of inflammation, and suggested that it could form the basis of a new approach to treating gum diseases.

The research presented yesterday showed that the same was true of the polyphenols found in red wine.

Cranberry Juice has it as well

[Nan]

I wonder why all these comments about the benefit of red wine never compare red wine to red grape juice ? Not that I really wonder.

Another good use for cranberry? It is already often advised for people with frequent bladder infections - one of its ingredients seems to prevent the bacteria adhering to the bladder wall.

[Pockey]

Nan that is a very good point. The studies should compare the wine to grape juice.

[Nicodema]

Too bad cranberry tastes so nasty.

[gina i]

Nicodema, add a little perrier.. that's how I tolerate it:)

[Nicodema]

Ooooh, perrier! There's an idea! Thanks Gina.

[Amelia]

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Another good use for cranberry? It is already often advised for people with frequent bladder infections

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Take a look in the health food stores dental hygiene section. Most of them carry a cranberry infused dental floss. Cranberry has been shown to inhibit bacterial growth.

[olger]

You can make excellent cranberry juice with a juicer (plus you get all the rich live nutrition and enzymes). Add an apple and you have a drink fit for a king.

olger