Wine and Dark Chocolate May Not Increase Life Span: Study

Wine and dark chocolate might not increase life span or prevent heart diseases, according to a study.

Previously, research found the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant compounds in wine and dark chocolate can protect against the development of type-2 diabetes, kidney diseases, heart problems and cancer. But, the findings could not accurately prove if resveratrol - a healthy ingredient found in polyphenols of both substances - can increase life span. Experts at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine called the belief as a 'French Paradox' and doubt the long-term health impact of the compound in warding off the risk of cardiovascular diseases and mortality in humans.

Their trial involved nearly 783 individuals from Tuscany, aged 65 years and above. The participants were followed for nine years and the resveratrol level in their urine was tested before and after the study.

 A total of 268 deaths, due to blood pressure and chronic inflammation, were recorded during the entire period. Almost 174 of the remaining people developed heart problems and 34 were affected with cancer.  Even after dividing the participants in four groups, based on the high or low resveratrol content, it was observed that the risk rate for mortality was the same in all groups.

"Resveratrol level, as achieved by diet alone, is not associated with any protective effect," said Richard D. Semba, study author and professor of ophthalmology at the Johns Hopkins University. "There were supplementation trials, but those results are inconclusive," reports the New York Times.

The authors advise people to adopt healthy diet habits like eating plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains to avoid risk of diseases and poor health conditions. They add the study highlights wine and dark chocolate cannot do a miracle and stall premature death and cardiovascular diseases.

"This study is a great example of how difficult it is to examine the role of 'the magic bullet' for health and longevity, in this case resveratrol," said Robert Graham, an internist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York who was not involved in the research, reports the Independent Online.

More information is available online in JAMA.