A recent study of 16 wines from Australia and New Zealand has found levels of healthy antioxidants, existing mainly in red grapes, decreased significantly over time.
CQUniversity lead researcher Mani Naiker said the compound, trans-resveratrol, was proven to have cardiovascular, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic effects.
“The more you consume this compound in your food or in beverages, it is perceived to give you better health benefits,” Dr Naiker said.
“When we compare younger bottled wines with mature red wines, we have proven that as the wine ages the concentration of this important bioactive compound decreases by about 75 percent over a 16-month period.
“That is a huge decrease in the concentration of this particularly important health-benefiting compound.”
Lead researcher Dr. Mani Naiker states that the compound is proven to have cardiovascular, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic effects.
The study published in the Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research, found the concentration decreased in some wines by as much as 96 percent.
After the initial resveratrol levels were measured, the bottles were resealed and stored in darkness in their original packaging.
“Irrespective to where we got the red wine from, which variety it was, the process of that compound, the loss was the same,” Dr Naiker said.
“I might just leave it with the French paradox that having a glass of red with a meal every day is good for your health.
“Now you know, you might want to go with a young red rather than an old one.”