Red Wine and Skin

Ever hoped to leave the doctor’s office with a prescription for your favorite brand of pinot noir? It might not be as absurd sounding as you might thing. A recent study suggests that a powerful antioxidant found in red grapes comes in concentrated amounts in red wine.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is the most common skin problem in the U.S. It affects an estimated 40-50 million Americans and is characterized by breakouts of pimples, blocked pores and cysts.

The study found that regular digestion of red wine slowed the growth of bacteria in the skin that causes breakouts. The study also suggests, that the red wine increased the anti-bacterial properties of benzoyl peroxide, the active ingredient of many OTC acne medications.

According to the findings published in the journal Dermatology and Therapy, the researchers heading up this study grew the specific type of bacteria that leads to acne and applied resveratrol, the antioxidant found in grapes. The study resulted in slowed growth of the bacteria. An additional test was done with benzoyl peroxide, and this slowed the growth even faster.

“This study demonstrates that combining an oxidant and an antioxidant may enhance each other and help sustain bacteria-fighting activity over a longer period of time,” said the study’s first author Dr. Emma Taylor of the division of dermatology at the David Geffen School of Medicine, the University of California-Los Angeles

Resveratrol has been identified as a health booster in many other capacities, such as its ability to  fight off disease- causing free radicals and its heart health improving properties. So it comes as no surprise that doctors suggest a glass per day for a healthier life.

These findings suggest that a new line of acne medication could be on the horizon, with resveratrol as the main ingredient.

Cheers!