"HealthBenefits" news and stories

Summer tables are bountiful with blueberries, and studies show they're packing more than just taste.

It's now common knowledge that a glass of red wine can lower the risks of heart disease. Last month, "60 Minutes" covered a story explaining that scientists have identified the substance in wine that protects the heart: resveratrol. Scientists are discovering that resveratrol, in high concentrations, can do a lot more than keep your heart healthy. It can significantly prolong your life.

How much longer can this "fountain of youth" pill extend life? Scientists predict as much as twenty years. Dr. Christoph Westphal states: "Our goal is to prevent and forestall many of the diseases that strike us as we reach 50, 60, and 70. All with one pill." The resveratrol pill works by slowing down genes that control the aging process.

According to our recent Valentine's Day post, you can already purchase resveratol in the form of a necklace. However, if you are now concluding that you can drink enough red wine to get the same benefits, think again. To get the same effects from just one pill, you would have to drink over 1000 glasses of red wine. Nevertheless, this discovery may explain why there is such a low incidence of heart disease in France, despite a high fat diet. So, until the pill becomes available, a glass of red wine with every meal can't hurt.

Scientists have discovered that newly-pressed olive oil contains a substance called oleocanthal, which suppresses pain in much the same way as ibuprofen. But don't reach for the olive oil on the bottom shelf at your supermarket - it's only the top-quality extra-virgin olive oil that contains this substance. Researchers believe this could be a big reason why the "Mediterranean diet" works so well - and is another reason to spend your hard-earned money on the good stuff.

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