Universidad de las Amricas Puebla

Engineering School
Department of Chemical Engineering, Food and Environmental

Zyanya Brcena Maasberg

150964

zyanya.barcenamg@udlap.mx
Dr. Fabiola Gutierrez Orozco
Cholula, Puebla January 28, 2015.

RED WINE IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF HUMAN CELLS.

Red wine has been in human life for a long time either for celebrations, rituals, special ceremonies, etc.
because who do not enjoy a glass of wine?
And now we have the perfect excuse to drink sometimes a glass of wine with our meals.
Besides it taste very good, also can provide you with polyphenols which contains resveratrol, antioxidants,
anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties that improve your health.
Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds found largely in the fruits, vegetables, cereals and
beverages. Fruits like grapes, apple, pear, cherries and berries contains up to 200300 mg polyphenols per 100 grams
fresh weight. Typically a glass of red wine or a cup of tea or coffee contains about 100 mg polyphenols. Cereals, dry
legumes and chocolate also contribute to the polyphenolic intake (Bhooshan P. and Ibrahim R., 2009).
Otherwise an antioxidant is a molecule that protect cells from oxidative damage caused by harm molecules
or free radicals. A free radical is an atom, molecule or ion that has unpaired valance electrons and can harm vital
parts of your cells, including proteins, membranes and DNA (Lewis, 2015). The consequences of the damage in your
cells can be diseases like cancer, tumors, problems with your hearth etc.
Our body can produce free radicals if we do not eat well, smoke cigarettes, if we are exposed to
contamination or the sun As we can see our metabolism is producing free radicals all the time. They are also
necessary in an adequate amount to defend us from a virus or bacteria. Once they are out of control they start
damaging tissues causing the modification of the membranes of epithelial cells, hardening of the artery walls,
decreases blood flow, etc.
With the development of studies and technology scientist have found evidence that food with high levels of
antioxidants can fight with free radicals, improving human health.
In spite of this investigations there are opinions against this theory of the red wine like says Alice
Lichtenstein Professor at Tufts University into Zelman. M (2005) You cannot isolate red wine as the magic bullet
for disease prevention.
As she says, it is not responsible to put your health only in this theory because you have to be a healthy
person eating well, doing exercise, sleeping well, etc. However I think that is important to know this because in a
meeting where only are serving soda or red wine, you may know that it is healthier the wine.

Bibliography.
Bhooshan, K.P. and Ibrahim S.R. 2009. Plant polyphenols as dietary antioxidants in human health and disease.
National Center for Biotechnology Information. 2(5): 270278. doi: 10.4161/oxim.2.5.9498
Lewis, C. 2015. Antioxidant in Red Wine Found to Destroy Pancreatic Cancer Cells. Insiders health. Retrieved from
http://insidershealth.com/article/antioxidant_in_red_wine_found_to_destroy_pancreatic_cancer_cells/1163.
Accessed January 27, 2016.
Zelman, K.M. 2005. Wine: How Much Is Good for You? WebMD. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/foodrecipes/wine-how-much-is-good-for-you. Accessed January 27, 2016.
Clark, K. 2015. Polyphenols Vs. Flavonoids. Livestrong. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/479645polyphenols-vs-flavonoids/. Accessed January 27, 2016.