Red Wine may Decrease Depression and Anxiety

The recent study says that compound found in red wine may decrease depression and anxiety. The numerous studies have found links between resveratrol, a phenol found in grape skin, and a decrease in depression, among other potential health benefits. The latest study among this body of work comes from the University of Buffalo, where researchers identified how resveratrol influences experiences of depression and anxiety. The key to this beneficial effect may be the blocking of an enzyme called phosphodiesterase 4.

Red Wine Decrease Depression and Anxiety

While, talking about the details, scientists from the University of Buffalo and China’s Xuzhou Medical University conducted the experiment. They did the experiment on mice and came to know that an enzyme known as phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4). This is uttered by the stress-response hormone corticosterone, caused depression- and anxiety-like behavior in the animals. It did so by lowering levels of a messenger molecule called cyclic adenosine monophosphate.

On the other hand, normally, corticosterone regulates the body’s response to stress. When there’s too much stress, though, the large amounts of the hormone circulating in the brain lead to an excess of PDE4. This in turn physically alters the brain, causing the problems.

After that study, it is now expected that resveratrol could find use in a new class of antidepressants. Currently, most such medications currently work by controlling serotonin or noradrenaline function in the brain, although according to the scientists, only about one third of patients taking them end up in full remission.

“Resveratrol may be an effective alternative to drugs for treating patients suffering from depression and anxiety disorders,” says U Buffalo’s Dr. Ying Xu, co-lead author of a paper on the study.