Beneficial Effects of Red Wine Polyphenols on Human Health: Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Polyphenols are secondary plant metabolites synthesized during the development of the grape berry as a response to stress conditions. They are important constituents in red wines that contribute to the sensory properties and antioxidant activity of wines. Due to the development of highly sophisticated analytical devices, it is now possible to characterize the structure of highly polymerized polyphenols and obtain a full polyphenol profile of red wines. Red wine polyphenols include the ones present in grapes as well as new polyphenol products formed during the winemaking process. Among them, the most important groups and their representatives are flavanols (catechin), stilbenes (trans-resveratrol), flavonols (quercetin) and hydroxybenzoic acids (gallic acid). It is known that polyphenols exhibit beneficial effects on human health, such as anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic and cardio-protective effects. Many studies have been conducted on the health effects of red wine polyphenols in cancer chemopreventive activities, neuroprotective effects and impact on cardiovascular diseases, gut microbiota in humans, etc. This review will provide major scientific findings on the impact of red wine polyphenols on human health as well as a review of polyphenols present in red wines and their main features.

Wine is more than just a beverage: Chemical diversity, health benefits, and immunomodulating potential of wine polyphenols

“…Recent integration of wine consumption in moderation into a healthy lifestyle is attributed to its phenolic compounds. The phenolics in wine are notably significant due to their association with numerous health benefits (Buljeta et al., 2023; Cordova & Sumpio, 2009). Despite their modest concentrations, these compounds play a substantial role in enhancing the overall quality of wine (Garrido & Borges, 2013).…”

“…Polyphenols are often called “essential” because of their significant impact on health (Chandrasekara & Shahidi, 2010). Extensive literature data point out grapes and wine as good sources of natural active compounds that have a promoting effect on health (Buljeta et al., 2023). Polyphenols are the main compounds related to the benefits of wine consumption due to their antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties.…”

Moderate red wine intake and cardiovascular health protection: a literature review

“…29 The primary goal of this review is to give an overview of the different RW components and their potential cardioprotective effects. The potential of the valorization of these products is extensively supported by the information available in the literature, 30,31 with the valuable activity of health promotion concerning the prevention of various diseases, and therefore, the main objective of this review is to present an overview of the numerous epidemiological studies conducted in order to analyze a possible relationship between moderate intake of RW and the protective effects on cardiovascular health and in particular on the lipid profile, glucose metabolism and oxidative stress. Studies over the last twenty years on the connection between moderate RW drinking and CVD have all been taken into account.…”

“Orange” Wine—The Resurgence of an Ancient Winemaking Technique: A Review

“…This attention is attributed to their well-established impact due to their positive bioactive influence on the well-being of the consumer through moderate wine consumption. These effects encompass risk reduction for diabetes, atherogenesis, and coronary heart disease, as well as encompass anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antiallergenic properties, among others [20][21][22][23]. The exploration of tannins and polyphenols in "orange" wines endeavors to elucidate their influence on wine attributes, while also aiming to forge distinct characteristics that set it apart from other products [24].…”